T1B

Police: Dad Pulls Gun Because Son Sat Bench

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police said a father pulled out a .357 Magnum pistol on a youth football coach because his son wasn't getting enough playing time.

A fight ensued between the man and a referee, and both are now facing charges.

Wayne Derkotch, 46, is accused of pulling the gun Sunday during a game between the Oxford Circle Raiders and the Burholme Outlaws -- 5- and 6- year-olds -- in Northeast Philadelphia. No shots were fired.

Derkotch was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment. He did not immediately return a telephone message left at his home Monday.

The referee, Shawn Henwood, said he said he was shocked to see a parent had brought a .357 Magnum with him.

"Everyone started screaming, 'Gun! Gun!' I immediately turned the boys and ran them to the opposite side of the field because the issue happened over this way," Henwood said.

He wasn't the only one who was surprised.

"Why would you take a gun to where a bunch of young kids are ... for no reason," asked Wayne Kohler, one of Derkotch's neighbors.

Derkotch didn't answer that question Monday night or the knock on the door of his home.

The coach involved, whose own son plays for the Outlaws, was willing to talk, but didn't offer much detail other than to say overly enthusiastic parents can be a problem.

"We get parents like that all the time ... just an unfortunate situation," said Coach Jermaine Wilson.

The referee was also arrested on assault charges after allegedly throwing a punch at a man. But police said it's unclear if that fight was related to the first altercation. Henwood was also arrested on simple assault charges.

Henwood apparently was arrested after a fight with Derkotch's brother. Henwood told Philadelphia TV station WCAU that he was upset because he believed he was struck first.

jiminphilly wrote:Best part about the story-- the ref blocking the vehicle so the guy can't leave so the ref can get the plate numbers, vehicle make, model etc.. The brother trieds to get the ref to move and the ref drops him with 1 punch. (after he had gotten the kids away from the situation by leading them to the other side of the field.)

overly enthusiastic parents can be a problem.

e wrote:gun pulled at a raiders game?

never woulda' guessed

BSmack wrote:It's funny, but potentialy stupid. I'm sure the youth football league in question has parent/guardian information on file. No need for the ref to needless risk his life to get a plate number.

"We get parents like that all the time ... just an unfortunate situation," said Coach Jermaine Wilson.