Memphis basketball quarterback and top 20 recruit Mickey Williams was arrested Thursday on a gun count in his hometown of San Diego, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department confirmed. CBS8 News Friday. Williams, a top prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and a social media star with millions of followers across multiple platforms, was released just after midnight Friday on $50,000 bail.
Williams has been booked on five counts of assault with a fatal weapon with a firearm, although the department lieutenant, Gavin Lanning, said ESPN He is likely to face one count: assaulting a person with a firearm. ESPN reported that Williams, according to the report from the sheriff’s department, was involved in an incident in which an individual fired at a vehicle occupied by five people. This followed an incident reported earlier in the week where an altercation occurred and people were asked to leave the house. From ESPN:
According to the Sheriff’s Department incident report, “five people got into a car, and as they were driving away, shots were fired.” “The car was hit, but no one was injured,” he added.
Williams was arrested after a search warrant was executed. There were several minors in the car. The sheriff’s office said it would not release the booking photo of Williams because, under policy, it only posts such photos “when there is an immediate threat to public safety.”
Memphis issued a statement Friday regarding Williams’ arrest, saying only that the school “was aware of the situation and is gathering more information.”
Troy B. Owens, a San Diego criminal defense attorney, shared on social media He is representing Williams in the case. In a statement, Owens said an altercation was started by individuals who entered Williams’ home and caused a disturbance:
“the information [from the Sheriff’s Department] reveals that Thursday’s arrest stemmed from an altercation that occurred on March 27, 2023 at a house in Jamool that Mr. Williams was maintaining as a residence,” Owens said. Therefore, a search warrant was executed in the house and Mr. Williams arrested, he has posted a bond and looks forward to having any allegations against him processed using the established procedures of our judicial system.
“While this case has received a lot of attention, we ask that people appreciate the fact that Mr. Williams is an 18-year-old high school student,” Owens continued. “Harassment, threats, or any other behavior of this kind is not justified. We are aware of many accounts being presented online that are not factual and designed to humiliate Mr. Williams. We trust that the truth will emerge.”
Owens added that Williams maintains his innocence and intends to cooperate during the criminal proceedings.
Williams’ Instagram account, which has amassed millions of followers over the years as it gained popularity as one of the most followed basketball prospects in the country, was deactivated early Friday. for him Twitter account It remained active until Friday afternoon.
In 2020, Williams was rated the No. 2 prospect in the class of 2023 247 athletic recruiting rankings For the season, he has maintained his spot as a top 20 talent ever since. Now ranked No. 17 in the class by 247Sports and the fourth player at the position, he selected Memphis and signed with the school last fall over reported offers from Kansas, Arkansas, and other pro options.
Memphis has a top-10 recruiting class signed for the 2023 tournament under Williams, the highest ranking in the men’s six. It is currently ranked No. 9 in 247 Sports at the national level and No. 1 among AAC programs.