Report: Detroit police investigating why Lions' Williams avoided arrest for gun

Still suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is back in the news for an incident stemming from a traffic stop in early October.

According to extensive reporting by WYXZ-TV, which includes body cam footage from officers on the scene, Williams was detained during a late-night traffic stop, but ultimately released after a gun registered to him was improperly stored under his seat without the player having a concealed carry license.

Without a concealed carry license, Michigan law states “…firearms must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine and enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of a vehicle.”

Williams was the passenger when a vehicle driven by his younger brother was pulled over for speeding just after midnight on Oct. 8. The officer asked Williams’ brother if there were any weapons in the car and he confirmed there were two, one belonging to him and a second belonging to Williams. Williams’ brother presented his concealed carry permit to the officer.

“I got the gun for protection,” Williams told the officer. “Do you guys know where I live at? Detroit.”

Williams, despite repeatedly telling the officer he played for the Lions, was handcuffed and placed in the back of the police car. A supervisor eventually joined the scene and made multiple phone calls with higher-ups. Eventually, a lieutenant at the department made the call to release Williams. He was given his weapon back and no report from the incident was filed.

WXYZ’s reporting has spurred an internal affairs review of the situation.

“(Chief James White) was very unhappy about the totality of the circumstances here. Even to go so far as to say he was pissed off,” Commander Michael McGinnis told the station. “…I want to know if the fact that this individual was a Detroit Lions player, did that play a factor in the decision making?”

In a statement, the Detroit Lions acknowledged they were made aware of the situation by Williams immediately after it occurred and declined to offer additional comment on the matter.

“We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know. We understand he was released without incident or citation. It is now our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the matter. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”

WXYZ was able to get in touch with Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, who also provided a statement.

"On October 8, my clients were pulled over for an alleged traffic violation. During the course of the stop, my clients were both cooperative and respectful with the police officers. With the two pistols that were found in the vehicle, they were both properly registered and the driver in the vehicle had the proper credentials to carry them. We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so."

Williams, a first-round pick in 2022, is currently one game into a two-week suspension. He was additionally suspended the first four games of the 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy. Depending on the results of the police department’s internal investigation, Williams could be subject to further discipline from the league.

Speaking about Williams' pending suspension last week, and almost certainly aware of the gun incident earlier that month, Lions coach Dan Campbell offered strong support for his player.

“Here’s what I can tell you is I trust this kid,” Campbell said. “I trust him, and, unfortunately, you’ve got to pay for your sins. Something happens and if this comes down, then so be it, but I know this, we dangled the rope down on the way up. We can’t wait for anybody, and over a year ago he started climbing his way up and he got to us, and maybe he lost his grip, but he’ll climb back up again."

“…That rope’s still there, it’s tied to us, and he’ll be just fine,” Campbell said. “He's part of this team and I trust him. …He and I have enough dialogue, enough things that have happened, I know when he tells me something, I know what it is, and that’s the best way I can say it. And so, look, this happened, it is what it is, and move on. But I do, and he’s put the work in, and he’s put his best foot forward and, like I say, he lost his grip. He’ll be back.”