December 28, 1999
Web posted at: 1:14 a.m. EST (0614 GMT)

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Rap music mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs appeared in a New York court Monday night charged with criminal possession of a firearm.

Bail was set at $10,000 at the preliminary hearing. If convicted, Combs could face a maximum 15 years in prison.

Combs and singer-actress Jennifer Lopez were arrested before dawn Monday after a gun was found in a gray Lincoln Navigator owned by Combs following an early morning shooting at a nightclub where the couple had gone together, police said.

Three people were wounded in the 2 a.m. shooting in a trendy Times Square nightspot, the Club New York. Police said the shots were fired by a 19-year-old man who was later charged with attempted murder.

Minutes after the shooting, police spokesman Sean Crowley said, officers saw the sport utility vehicle carrying Combs and Lopez and two other men run at least one red light before officers stopped and searched the SUV.

"There was a pistol on the right front seat -- none of the occupants claimed ownership of it," said New York Police Commissioner Howard Safir. "They were all arrested for possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property."

Lopez was released after hours of questioning and no charges were filed against her, authorities said.

Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, said prosecutors evaluated the case against Lopez and "decided to let it go."

Police spokesman Sean Crowley said police saw the sport utility vehicle carrying Lopez, Combs and two others run at least one red light before they stopped and searched it.

Dan Klores, a spokesman for Combs, said the gun did not belong to either Combs or Lopez. He told reporters outside the police precinct where Lopez and Combs were being held that the two were "victims of circumstance" who were "fleeing a life-threatening situation."

In addition to Combs, Anthony Jones, 34, and Wardel Fenderson, 41, the other two people in the Jeep, were also charged with criminal possession of a firearm.

Safir said the suspects were also accused of criminal possession of stolen property, because the gun had been reported stolen in Georgia.

Jones was also charged with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.

Larry Ruggiero, attorney for the singer-actress told reporters, "They did a thorough investigation ... Jennifer has been exonerated."

Dan Klores, a spokesman for Combs, said the gun did not belong to either Combs or Lopez. He told reporters outside the police precinct where Combs was held that the two were "victims of circumstance" who were "fleeing a life-threatening situation."

In addition to Lopez and Combs, bodyguard Anthony Jones, 34, and driver Wardel Fenderson, 41, the other two people in the vehicle, also were charged with criminal possession of a firearm.

Jones also was charged with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana.

Rapper 'Shine' charged in shooting

Jamal Barrow, 19, of Brooklyn, a rapper known as "Shine," was arrested outside the club -- allegedly with a 9mm handgun.

Barrow was charged with criminal possession of a gun and three counts of attempted murder, police said.

Two of the victims were in stable condition Monday, and the third refused medical attention.

Combs' legal troubles

Combs, a high-profile rap producer and performer also known as "Puffy," was accused earlier this year of beating a music executive in a dispute over a music video by another rapper.

Combs pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment and was ordered to undergo counseling.

He also is a defendant in civil suits filed as a result of a stampede in a stairwell that killed eight people and injured 29 at New York's City College during a charity event at which he performed.

Combs, 30, has produced songs for Mariah Carey and Madonna.

Lopez, 29, starred in films including "Selena," "Money Train," "Anaconda" and "Out of Sight" and released her debut album, "On the 6," in June.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.