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Jason Hotchkin, shown playing for the indoor Harrisburg Heat, suffered multiple gunshot wounds early Sunday morning during an altercation in West Chester. Hotchkin has undergone one surgical procedure AAAAC/AAAAAAAA his condition has been upgraded from critical to stable AAAAC/AAAAAAAA but probably has at least one more waiting.

(Patriot-News file)

Even before the Harrisburg City Islanders began practice Monday morning, word was spreading amongst the players and coaching staff concerning a Sunday morning incident that sent a former member of the USL PRO club to the hospital.

What obviously had the playoff-bound City Islanders distracted was the physical condition of former forward/midfielder Jason Hotchkin, who originally was listed in critical condition following emergency surgery to treat the multiple gunshot wounds he received during an early-morning altercation in West Chester.

Hotchkin, who remains a patient at Paoli Memorial Hospital, eventually had his condition upgraded to stable.

According to Heat head coach Richard Chinapoo, Hotchkin was in southeastern Pennsylvania helping a friend of his coach a boys team at the Spirit Kick-Off Classic XXVII, the second largest club tournament in the state and an event held at the Spirit United Soccer Club's sprawling Downingtown complex.

Right now, I think it looks good," Chinapoo said Monday night.

"He's resting well."

Moffat Oduor, shown during his final season playing for the Harrisburg City Islanders (2009), was injured during the Sunday morning altercation that led to Jason Hotchkin being shot several times.

Also injured during the altercation was former City Islanders midfielder Moffat Oduor, who was treated for minor injuries at Chester County Hospital.

City Islanders majority owner/chief executive officer Eric Pettis shared Monday night that his wife, Patrice, received an email from former defender/team captain Dustin Bixler updating Hotchkin's condition. Patrice Pettis, who works in the club's front office, is the City Islanders' director of corporate marketing.

According to Eric Pettis, Bixler traveled to southeastern Pennsylvania to visit his former teammate and said doctors removed the bullet from Hotchkin's back but left the one in his leg. Bixler's message also indicated Hotchkin is "doing miraculously well, all things considered, and that his family is there and in good spirits."

Hotchkin and Oduor — Hotchkin played the 2010 and 2011 outdoor seasons in Harrisburg, while Oduor spent six years (2004-2009) in Harrisburg — attended the City Islanders' Aug. 7 game against Charlotte at Skyline Sports Complex.

"What a shock!" Eric Pettis admitted. "They're best buddies. They've always supported the Islanders. It's tough when you get to that point for both of them, that point when you need to hang up the spikes, at least at this level.

"But they were extremely gracious about it and really knew, whereas some don't take it as well. For this type of situation to happen is just unconscionable."

Others offered similar thoughts.

The Harrisburg City Islanders' Yann Ekra, shown here, was an indoor teammate of Jason Hotchkin's last winter with the Harrisburg Heat.

"I just heard this morning," said City Islanders midfielder Yann Ekra, who was Hotchkin's teammate with the Heat. "I was like really disappointed because I know them. Everyone is pretty shocked about that. I don't really know anything about it, but it's sad and everyone's [thoughts] are with him and his family.

"We hope everything is going to go well for him and we're going to try to go see him if we can," Ekra added. "And yeah, everyone is pretty affected by that."

"I was just shocked, I mean, what an unfortunate event," said Heat vice president of broadcasting John Wilsbach, who returned from vacation on Sunday night. "We understand he's in stable condition and I can certainly tell you that our prayers are with Jason right now in hopefully making a full recovery.

"We are certainly following the story closely."

While Hotchkin spent the 2012-13 PASL campaign playing for the Heat (1 goal, 4 assists), Chinapoo didn't know if the South Carolina native was planning to return to the indoor squad. And that was prior to Sunday's shooting.

"Initially, it's disappointing because you just never know when you're going to get a phone call about anything," said Chinapoo, who was coaching at the same event and rushed to the hospital to check on Hotchkin's condition. "And when you get a phone call like that, it's how that message is delivered to you.

Harrisburg Heat head coach Richard Chinapoo (left) and managing partner David Grimaldi (right) are among the many concerned about Jason Hotchkin's medical condition. Hotchkin was shot multiple times during an altercation Sunday morning in West Chester.

"It was a matter of just gathering myself rather quickly, and getting the information I needed to have to make sure what status he was at. ... I'm just hoping for the best right now. That's all I can do.""So I needed to know once the confrontation started, where was he shot," Chinapoo continued. Once I knew that, I thought maybe he was OK and I held out hope at that time. Hopefully, doctors can do what they're supposed to do and he's on the mend.

Oduor, the 35-year-old Kenyan native who has continued to live in downtown Harrisburg following his retirement, coaches in the Gettysburg Youth Soccer Club. Oduor, part of the City Islanders' 2007 USL PRO championship team, landed all-league honors (second team) following that memorable season.

During his six seasons playing for the City Islanders, Oduor collected 40 points (16 goals, 8 assists) in 90 appearances. Oduor's 90 games played is the fifth-highest total in Harrisburg history, while his 16 goals ranks him fourth on the all-time list.

Before turning pro, Oduor played at the University of Charleston (W.Va.) and Furman. At Furman, one of his teammates was U.S. Men's National Team star Clint Dempsey, who just signed a mega-sized contract to return from England and play for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders.

Hotchkin, who also played for Charlotte, Wilmington and Cleveland before coming to Harrisburg, posted 20 points (8g, 4a) for the City Islanders in 40 games spread across two seasons. His 12 points (5g, 2a) in 2010 in league play led Harrisburg.

Hotchkin also spent time with MLS' Columbus Crew.

"Jason's a great guy," City Islanders head coach Bill Becher said following Monday's workout. "He did really well for us the two years he was with us. Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with him as he continues with his recovery."

"We are shocked by the shooting and following the incident very closely," Heat managing partner David Grimaldi said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Jason for a full recovery."

City Islanders majority owner/CEO Eric Pettis, shown here, says plans are being discussed to hold a fund-raiser to help offset Jason Hotchkin's mounting hospital costs since the former Harrisburg player has no medical insurance.

The man, who witnesses said was wearing a cowboy hat, appeared to be holding something in his hand when the altercation began.

Oduor told detectives he was struck in the head and fell to the ground. Moments later, Oduor said he heard several shots ring out and saw Hotchkin lying on the ground. Police, upon hearing gunshots, arrived shortly thereafter and took the alleged shooter, 25-year-old Curtis Zebley of Kennett Square, into custody.

Zebley was charged with attempted homicide, four counts of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and related offenses. Zebley was arraigned Sunday night and, after failing to post $500,000 cash bail, was taken to Chester County Prison.Several witnesses identified Zebley as the shooter. Police also recovered a small Ruger .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun that Zebley said was his. Zebley told police he fired three shots and knew two struck Hotchkin in the back and legs.

Curtis Zebley, shown here, is being held on $500,000 bail at Chester County Prison following a Sunday morning altercation/shooting that involved former Harrisburg City Islanders Jason Hotchkin and Moffat Oduor. Zebley is being held on a series of charges.

According to the Chester County District Attorney's office, Zebley possesses a license to carry firearms. Other than a 2010 DUI conviction that landed him in the Chester County ARD program, Zebley has no prior criminal record, the West Chester Daily Local reported.

Hotchkin, meanwhile, remains in the hospital.

Since the former City Islanders standout does not have medical insurance — and the costs associated with Hotchkin's indefinite hospital stay are rising quickly — Eric Pettis said the club is considering holding some form of fund-raising activity before Saturday's USL PRO playoff game against Charlotte at Skyline Sports Complex.

Just what, the City Islanders haven't decided.

"That makes us realize it can happen to anyone," Ekra said. "It can be me, it can be anyone. That's bad. We're close to them also.

"We live in the city. They come to every game, so we see them every game. After the game, we're together," Ekra added, referring to Hotchkin and Oduor. "I just hope for them. [Our thoughts are] with them and their family. I hope everyone is going to be behind them to make sure they're OK."

MICHAEL BULLOCK: mbullock@pennlive.com

BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n