Detroit police are currently carrying out an internal review following an incident involving Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. This comes after a traffic stop where a firearm was discovered under his seat, which he did not possess a permit to carry.
According to Commander Michael McGinnis, Chief James White expressed dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled. Reports indicate that although the gun is registered in Williams’ name, he lacks a concealed-carry permit, which is necessary under Michigan law. In the state, a firearm must be kept in a closed case while inside a vehicle if the owner does not have a permit, and failing to comply with this requirement is classified as a felony.
On October 8, Williams was taken into custody and placed in a patrol vehicle after being a passenger in a car driven by his brother, who was legally permitted to carry his own firearm. In body-camera footage obtained from the incident, Williams identified himself as a member of the Lions and stated that he resides in Detroit, expressing that he needs the weapon for self-defense.
McGinnis noted that he believed there was sufficient cause for Williams’ arrest and that he should have been taken to the Detroit Detention Center for processing. However, the situation took a turn when a sergeant arrived and made a phone call to senior officers, leading to Williams being released along with the firearm.
The traffic stop would have likely remained under the radar until inquiries from local media prompted official scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Wayne County prosecutor’s office is evaluating the situation for potential charges, with prosecutor Kym Worthy commenting on the uncertainty of the outcome.
The Detroit Police Department has affirmed that accountability under the law applies to everyone in the city, emphasizing that no one is above the law. Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, asserted that no laws were breached, suggesting that since his brother had a concealed-carry permit, both firearms could be covered under that permit.
Williams, who was selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, is facing a two-game suspension this week against Green Bay due to violations involving the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy. This follows a prior four-game suspension in 2023 related to gambling infractions.
The team was made aware of the traffic incident promptly. Lions head coach Dan Campbell remarked that the situation does not reflect well, yet he believes in Williams’ potential for growth and learning from his mistakes. Campbell expressed confidence that Williams will emerge from this experience better equipped for future challenges.