Larry Bird's son charged with assault

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The son of basketball great Larry Bird was arrested after he allegedly tried to run his girlfriend over, Indiana University police said.

Connor Anthony Bird, 21, faces charges that include battery, possession of a deadly weapon and marijuana possession, The Indianapolis Star reported. He was arrested Sunday afternoon and has since been freed on bail.

Police said Bird and his girlfriend began fighting in his Indianapolis apartment. After she left, he went to her home and took her to a parking lot where their discussion degenerated into a fight.

When the girlfriend got out of the car and tried to walk away, Bird allegedly drove towards her, trying to hit her twice, police said. Another student took her to the campus police station.

John L. Tompkins, an Indianapolis lawyer representing Bird, refused to comment on the case.

"This is a very private matter that we're going to try to resolve quickly," he said. "We're thankful that no one was seriously injured."

Larry Bird, considered by some to be the greatest basketball player in history, played for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992. He coached the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000 and returned to the team in 2003 as president of basketball operations, leaving last year.