GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina Head Basketball Coach Jeff Lebo addressed a report of a felony charge filed against guard Shamarr Bowden Monday.

Bowden, who recently completed his junior season with the Pirates in March, was reportedly charged with illegal possession of a firearm and prohibited use of a firearm by the Rochester (N.Y.) Police Department.

"We have just been made aware of the alleged incident involving Shamarr, and at this point, we have to let the judicial system take its course," Lebo said. "Any charge filed against an ECU basketball player is something we take very seriously, but since this is an ongoing legal matter, any further comment on our part would be premature and inappropriate.

"Due to the nature of the charges however, Shamarr has been indefinitely suspended from all team activities. Once the issue has been resolved, his status with the team will be re-evaluated."

Lebo said Bowden, who had successfully completed all spring semester coursework and is on track for a December graduation date, was in his hometown of Greensboro at the time of the arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Bowden started 23 of 28 contests during the season, his first at ECU after transferring from Chipola College. He averaged 8.3 points per game and ranked among Conference USA's top five in 3-point field goal percentage (3rd/40.4) and 3-point field goals made (5th/59).

"Our coaches have high expectations that our student-athletes will always represent themselves, their families and East Carolina University in an appropriate manner," ECU Director of Athletics Terry Holland said. "The athletic department works closely with the Office of Student Affairs to ensure that student-athletes are disciplined in a fair and consistent manner within the expectations for all ECU students when there are charges filed and until those charges are resolved. I have every confidence that Coach Lebo will handle this and all such matters properly for the student-athlete involved and for East Carolina University.”