AFL player Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was involved in a non-fatal shooting outside the Love Machine nightclub on Chapel Street, Melbourne, in the early hours of the morning yesterday. According to 9News Chief Football Reporter Tom Morris, Ugle-Hagan was socialising with a friend when a verbal disagreement erupted into a physical altercation, leading to shots being fired at approximately 2:25 am.
It is reported that Ugle-Hagan, who has not played this season due to mental health issues, was not physically engaged in the fight and returned inside the nightclub shortly after the gunfire. Victoria Police are currently investigating the incident to determine any potential involvement of Ugle-Hagan, although no arrests have been made thus far.
Both the AFL and Western Bulldogs have refrained from commenting, indicating that the matter is now under police jurisdiction. Additionally, 9News uncovered that a white Jeep Cherokee linked to the incident was used in a series of armed robberies across several service stations, beginning around 7:30 pm at a milk bar in Keysborough, before moving on to a service station on Warrigal Road in Cheltenham an hour later.
In response to the incident, the Western Bulldogs have confirmed their awareness and expressed satisfaction that Ugle-Hagan was not implicated in any wrongdoing. Following police questioning, he was cleared of any involvement in the shooting. Ugle-Hagan has previously shared concerns regarding his mental state, stating that he had handed over his car to a friend due to a lack of self-trust in his ability to drive safely.
Overall, the situation highlights the challenges faced by professional athletes, particularly when dealing with mental health, and the unpredictability of nightlife situations.