Kent Police arrested NBA player Terrence Williams on Sunday for investigation of second-degree assault domestic violence when he allegedly displayed a handgun to a woman during a scheduled visitation exchange of their 10-year-old son.
Williams appeared Monday for a bail hearing in King County Superior Court at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center (RJC) in Kent. Judge Charles Delaurenti set bail at $25,000.
Williams posted bail Monday evening and was released at the King County Jail at RJC, according to jail records. He is scheduled to return to court Wednesday.
After his release, Williams tweeted the following message on his Twitter account TheRealTWill:
“A Million Stories Not One Thats TRUE…..Thanks To Those That Continue To Support Through Devil Testing Times…Those Thats Negative..THANKS.”
Williams, 25, is a member of the Boston Celtics. He played at Seattle’s Rainier Beach High School and at the University of Louisville.
At about 1:55 p.m. Sunday, officers were dispatched to meet the woman who resides in the downtown Kent area.
The woman reported that the father of her 10-year-old son in common, identified as Williams, arrived to her home for a scheduled visitation exchange of their son. She said during the exchange in the apartment parking lot area an argument ensued. The woman reported that during the argument Williams brandished a firearm and made threats.
Williams left the area prior to police arrival, but was later located and taken into custody at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in Renton. Williams was not armed when police found him. Officers described Williams as 6 feet 6 inches with tats on both arms.
“We investigate and treat all cases such as this very seriously regardless of the status of those involved,” said detective Melanie Frazier.
Detectives have interviewed witnesses and are still investigating the case.
When asked whether a gun belonging to Williams had been found or if search warrants executed at his Maple Valley home or vehicle, Frazier said there would be no further information to report at this time.
According to probable cause documents, the mother of the boy came outside with her current boyfriend and wanted to talk to Williams about some disparaging remarks he had made in the past about her other children. Williams initially refused to get out of the vehicle, so the woman started banging on his hood, insisting that they talk.
While seated in the vehicle, Williams reportedly pulled out a handgun, stuck it out the driver’s side window and aimed it at the mother. As the mother backed away, he drove forward and waved the gun out of the window as he drove out of the parking lot.
Williams later told detectives that he drove to the complex to drop his son off. When he arrived in the parking lot, he said the woman’s boyfriend approached his vehicle. Williams said then the mother of his child started to kick the front of his vehicle. He added that another subject started to approach the vehicle from the passenger side, so he felt threatened and pulled out his gun.
He said he held the gun to his side as he got out of the vehicle. He said he eventually got back in his vehicle and drove away. He denied pointing the gun at anyone.
The mother of Williams and several other relatives attended his court appearance, defense attorney Aaron Kiviat told the judge as he tried to get Williams released on personal recognizance rather than a set bail amount. Kiviat said Williams has strong community ties, including three children he supports and that he has a home in Maple Valley.
“He is a perfect candidate for PR, plans on returning for every court date,” Kiviat said.
Kiviat also said that the mother of their child was the initial aggressor when she banged on the vehicle door. He also added that he understands there was another witness present who tells a different story than what police have released so far.
Prosecutors wanted a bail amount of $50,000 set because Williams reportedly pulled out a handgun around children and other people.
“I don’t know Mr. Williams, I know who he is but I don’t know him,” Judge Delaurenti said before setting bail at $25,000.
Williams played in the Chinese Basketball Association before he signed in February with Boston on 10-day contract. The Celtics signed him to a multi-year deal in March. He played with three other NBA teams before Boston. The Houston Rockets picked him 11th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from the original posting.
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