Chief White ‘very unhappy’ over what body cam reveals, orders probe of stop.
Two weeks prior to his suspension for breaching the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was almost arrested by Detroit police due to a gun discovered in a vehicle. In light of inquiries from 7 News Detroit, the department is now looking into why Williams was released from custody despite officers’ intentions to take him into jail. The star wide receiver encountered law enforcement shortly after midnight on October 8 when police stopped a car driven by Williams’ brother at the corner of Connor and Jefferson Avenue for speeding. When questioned, Williams’ brother revealed the presence of two guns: one in the backseat and the other, according to police, located under Williams’ seat. The firearm in the backseat was registered to Williams’ brother, who holds a concealed pistol license (CPL), while the gun under Williams’ seat was registered to him but he did not have a CPL. The officer deemed this a problem and informed Williams he would be taken into custody for carrying a concealed weapon.
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two weeks before being suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was nearly arrested by Detroit police over a gun found in a vehicle.
Due to inquiries from 7 News Detroit, the department is investigating why Williams was let go after officers had planned to arrest him.
See the story in the video player above or below, and on 7 News Detroit at 6 p.m.
Williams came into contact with police shortly after midnight on October 8 when they stopped a vehicle driven by his brother near Connor and Jefferson Avenue. The vehicle was pulled over for speeding, according to police.
When questioned, Williams’ brother admitted there were two guns in the vehicle: one was on the back seat, while the other was reportedly under Williams’ seat.
Officers discovered that the gun on the back seat was registered to Williams’ brother, who possesses a concealed pistol license (CPL).
In contrast, the gun found under Williams’ seat was registered to him, but he did not have a CPL.
The officer concluded this was an issue and informed Williams he would be arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.
See the interaction between the officer, Williams, and Williams’ brother in the video below.
Body camera footage shows the officer did not initially recognize Williams. However, the wide receiver repeatedly reminded him.
I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” he stated at one point.
Minutes later, he reiterated: “Bro, I play for the Detroit Lions.”
Shortly after, he added again: “Bro, I play for the Lions!”
The officer explained that Williams’ position would not affect whether he would be arrested.
During the stop, Williams’ brother claimed the gun belonged to him, but Williams later admitted it was his.
I got the gun for protection,” Williams explained. “Do you guys know where I live? Detroit!”
See the video below where the officer detains and speaks to Williams.
Williams was handcuffed and placed in the back of the police car. In a Monday interview, Detroit Police Commander Michael McGinnis endorsed the officer’s actions.
I believe there was probable cause for an arrest, and he was under arrest by the patrol officer,” McGinnis stated. “As such, he should have been taken to the Detroit Detention Center and processed.”
Despite this, Williams was not taken to jail. Instead, a supervisor was summoned to the scene. The department clarified that this is not unusual for a high-profile stop, serving as a precaution to ensure policy compliance in situations likely to attract media attention.
Within a few minutes, a sergeant arrived.
Unlike the responding officers, the sergeant was a Lions fan and recognized Williams’ name immediately. Body camera footage revealed that the sergeant’s cellphone wallpaper displayed the Lions logo.
Over the next half hour, the sergeant made several phone calls to higher-ranking officials, trying to determine if Williams needed to be arrested or if the driver’s CPL extended to both guns.
At one point, the sergeant leaned in toward one of the arresting officers and whispered, “I’m so mad at you tw commander McGinnis, who reviewed the body camera footage, interpreted the sergeant’s comments as lighthearted.
After conferring with various supervisors, the sergeant made two additional phone calls, and it appeared Williams would soon be taken to jail.
bBe advised, he’s coming in. You might want to make special accommodations,” the sergeant stated in one call.
He’s going in for carrying a concealed weapon,” he remarked in another.
Minutes later, however, the situation seemed to shift. The sergeant consulted a lieutenant who advised that Williams should be released from custody. The lieutenant’s remarks during the call were inaudible.
Okay. Great. Am I good to let him go?” the sergeant asked before ending the call. “You’re a (expletive) hero. Thank you so much.”
Williams was uncuffed, his gun was returned, no police report was written, and no warrant request was filed.
In response to inquiries from 7 News Detroit, the Detroit police launched an internal investigation into the stop and the decision not to arrest the Lions wide receiver.
(Chief James White) was very unhappy about the overall circumstances. He even expressed being quite upset,” Commander McGinnis said.
Late last week, the Detroit Police Department submitted a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Williams faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.
bI want to know if the fact that this individual was a Detroit Lions player influenced the decision-making,” McGinnis queried.
7 News Detroit first raised questions regarding the traffic stop earlier this month. At that time, a deputy chief informed 7 Investigator Ross Jones that only one gun was found in the vehicle, without mentioning the second gun located under Williams’ seat.
Once Chief James White became aware of the second gun, he agreed to share parts of the body camera footage with 7 News Detroit to clarify the record and mandated an internal investigation.
Detroit police officials assert that the arresting officers acted appropriately during the stop and defend their decisions.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office is still reviewing the warrant request.
Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, issued a statement to 7 News Detroit, which reads: “On October 8, my clients were stopped for an alleged traffic violation. During the encounter, they cooperated and were respectful toward the police officers. The two pistols found in the vehicle were both properly registered, and the driver had the appropriate credentials to carry them. We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so.”
The Detroit Lions released a statement to 7 News Detroit on Tuesday, stating:
Jameson promptly informed us that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th. We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league updated on our findings. We understand he was released without incident or citation. It has come to our attention that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the situation. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will refrain from commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”