The NFL world received deeply upsetting news on Wednesday morning concerning one of the biggest stars in the game. Former Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers cornerback, Richard Sherman, was arrested in the early hours of July 14.
The initial report indicated Sherman was arrested for the crime of burglary domestic violence, which naturally led fans around the country to assume the worst – especially considering the recent history of NFL players finding themselves in legal jeopardy for such a crime.
However, more details began to emerge once the City of Redmond’s Police Department held a press briefing. According to Police Chief Darrell Lowe, Richard Sherman was arrested after trying to break into his inlaws’ home.
Under Washington State law, a crime committed against a family member – by blood or marriage – can qualify as domestic violence.
Redmond police found Sherman outside the residence at 1:49 am where he was initially cooperative until they informed him he would be taken into custody. Sherman then resisted arrest and was eventually subdued by a K9 unit during which he suffered minor injuries to his left leg. After being taken to the hospital, Sherman was then booked into the King County Correctional Facility around 6:00 am.
It is of the utmost importance to clarify that Sherman did not harm any family members. His wife Ashley Moss gave the Seattle Times the following statement:
At this time we’re going to make no statements, except he didn’t harm anybody. My kids were not harmed in the incident. He’s a good person and this is not his character. We’re doing all right, just trying to get him out. I want people to know no one was injured.
Unfortunately, the legal issues don’t appear to be limited to just burglary domestic violence. The Washington State Patrol is also investigating Sherman for a hit-and-run, a single-car collision, and obtained a warrant to test his blood for driving under the influence.
The City of Redmond was alerted at 11:26 pm that Sherman was possibly headed that direction. KIRO Radio obtained audio of his wife Ashley’s 911 call, where she described Sherman as belligerently drunk, threatening to kill himself, and getting physical with family members. During the call, Ashley was begging her husband to not leave in a car.
Around 1:00 am, the Washington State Patrol responded to a single-car crash at a construction site. The car was damaged from colliding into a concrete barrier, then was abandoned less than a mile from the crash site. When the WSP checked the plates, they found the car belonged to Sherman.
Miraculously, no one was injured in this incident.
Now Sherman sits behind bars, waiting to be seen by a judge at King County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon. Since the crime involves domestic violence, Sherman cannot post bail until he is seen before a judge.
Although the Redmond Police Department and Washington State Patrol have given much clarity to an ugly situation, this story will most assuredly continue to develop.
It should be noted that earlier in 2021, Sherman had an extreme risk protection order against him by the King County Sheriff’s Office. Such an order would prevent Sherman from legally obtaining firearms. The reasons behind this order are currently sealed.
Seahawks Wire will continue to update this story.
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