Police in Detroit are conducting an internal investigation after Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was not detained following a traffic stop where authorities discovered a gun under his seat that he did not have a permit to carry.
Detroit Police Chief James White expressed significant displeasure over the incident, as conveyed by Commander Michael McGinnis to WXYZ-TV. The gun was registered to Williams, but he lacked a concealed-carry permit, according to the TV station.
In Michigan, owning a gun without a permit typically requires the firearm to be stored in a closed case while inside a vehicle. Noncompliance with this regulation constitutes a felony. On October 8, Williams was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. He was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his brother, who had his own gun and a valid concealed-carry permit, WXYZ reported.
“I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” Williams told the officers, as per body-camera footage obtained by the TV station. He mentioned that he resides in Detroit and argued that he needed the firearm for personal protection.
Commander McGinnis emphasized the grounds for arrest, stating, “I feel that there was probable cause to arrest, and he was under arrest by the patrol officer. And because of that, he should have been conveyed to the Detroit Detention Center and processed.”
However, Williams was released shortly after a sergeant arrived on the scene and consulted with other senior officers via phone. The gun was also returned to Williams. The incident remained under wraps until WXYZ began making inquiries, prompting the Wayne County prosecutor’s office to review the case for potential charges.
“We just don’t know at this point,” prosecutor Kym Worthy said at an unrelated news conference on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Detroit Police Department reiterated, “Let it be clear: no one in the city of Detroit is above the law. Anyone who commits a crime will be held accountable, regardless of their position or status.”
Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, contended that no laws were broken, suggesting that Williams’ brother’s concealed-carry permit could extend to both firearms. “We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so,” Flood stated.
Williams, a first-round draft pick in 2022, is already facing a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy and missed four games in 2023 for breaching the league’s gambling policy. The Lions organization was immediately informed of the traffic stop.
Head coach Dan Campbell conceded that the situation was far from ideal, saying, “It certainly doesn’t look good.” Nonetheless, Campbell voiced his support for Williams, adding, “I know what this kid is made of. He’s worth hanging with. He’s going to learn from this, and he’s going to grow and be better for all of this.”
