More details of the alleged incident involving Tennessee Titans draft pick Rashad Weaver have emerged since news broke that he has been charged with one count of simple assault.
According to a report from Pittsburgh police that was obtained by Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky, the alleged victim, Demetria Navjelis, claims Weaver grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, leading to Navjelis hitting her head.
Here are the details:
“On April 20, the victim filed an assault report at Zone 3 station, stating that the male from the bar walked up to her on S 17th Street, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, where she ultimately hit her head. The incident was already under investigation by the police.”
In a follow-up with police, Navjelis stated that she went to the hospital three days after the alleged assault because she was throwing up and was later diagnosed with a concussion.
Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s John McGonigal, who cites the criminal complaint against the Pittsburgh product, one witness at the scene claimed Weaver punched Navjelis, while another said he did not.
The complaint also states that Weaver “stated to other officers on scene that he had no problem hitting a female if they needed it” before leaving the bar where he and Navjelis had an argument before the alleged assault.
Officers on the scene did not observe any injuries consistent with a punch to the head, but did see small abrasions on Navjelis’ knee and arm that are consistent with a fall.
Weaver has since denied the allegation against him through a statement from his attorney.
“The allegations against my client, Rashad Weaver, are completely false and reckless. Mr. Weaver takes these charges very seriously, and we look forward to clearing his good name. Without question and without hesitation, we deny Rashad punched anyone, especially a woman. We intend to conduct a full investigation of these charges, and intend to pursue all legal remedies,” the statement read.
The criminal complaint containing the one count of simple assault against Weaver was filed on April 30, just one day before he was drafted by the Titans in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft.
In a separate statement, the Titans claim they only found out about the alleged incident on Monday.
“We were made aware of this news this morning. We obviously take this seriously and are in the process of gathering details and working with the league.”
Kuharsky reports that he spoke to scouts from two teams to see if they were aware of the situation involving Weaver before he was drafted. One said yes, one said no.