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East High Basketball Star Who Caused Gun Scare Pleads Guilty

DENVER (CBS4) – An East High School student accused in a gun scare was sentenced on Friday despite backing from fellow students and faculty.

Elhadji Samba Dioum, 19, pleaded guilty Friday morning to the gun incident at East High School in December. The district attorney initially charged the student with three felonies, including attempted aggravated robbery.

Dioum is a highly-touted basketball recruit and the incident could have derailed his future -- all over an apparent bad joke.

Elhadji Samba Dioum
Elhadji Samba Dioum (credit: Denver DA)

Dozens in the East High community came to Dioum's defense saying the incident where he threatened a fellow student with a BB gun was a bad joke and a cultural misunderstanding. They're still upset the immigrant from Ivory Coast won't be allowed back on campus.

"To have him not be a part of school events is alienating him from what he came here to do," East High student Shafeeq Abdul said.

Joseph Abiakam played basketball with Dioum who was allowed to stay on the team after Denver Public Schools transferred him to a different school.

"He's always positive. He's the most optimistic person I've seen at this school," Abiakam said.

Elhadji Samba Dioum
Elhadji Samba Dioum (credit: Kate Wulf)

The sentencing includes 175 hours of community service, two years probation, and a protection order that will bar Dioum from any other events with his classmates, including prom and walking with them at graduation.

"He's been a big part of this school and to take him away from that is over the top," Abdul said.

"He is not a victim here, so to whatever extent his behavior affected his ability to play basketball or go to a prom is not what I think the proper concern is," Lynn Kimbrough with the district attorney's office said.

The victim's parents consulted with prosecutors on the sentence. They say the victim is still scared.

"The trauma for this student is real and what he endured that day extended beyond his victimization," Kimbrough said.

Dioum's attorneys say the ruling will still allow him to pursue college even if it's out of state and will not affect his immigration status.

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