Charlotte Hornets Star James Bouknight Found Passed Out With Gun On His Lap Following Night Of Drinking

NBA baller James Bouknight found himself in a bit of legal trouble over the weekend when he was discovered drunk and asleep in his car.

The Charlotte Hornets star was arrested in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, during the early morning hours of Sunday, October 16th. He passed out inside his Mercedes-Benz AMG GT. Security guards at a parking deck spotted Bouknight asleep behind the wheel and grew concerned when he did not wake up despite them beating on the car windows. They phoned police after viewing a .40 caliber Glock 23 on the 22-year-old’s lap.

When police arrived, they located Bouknight still asleep in the vehicle blocking the parking garage entrance. Police used air horns and a PA system to wake him up. The car was in drive at the time, and when he finally awoke, police reports state that Bouknight hit two patrol vehicles. He told a paramedic who responded to the scene that he had taken four shots of tequila before attempting to drive home. A breathalyzer test confirmed his blood alcohol content was 0.14.

He was quickly taken into custody and charged with a DWI. Bouknight was not charged with a crime related to the gun since North Carolina is an open-carry state. When officers ran his name and tag information, they located a pending concealed carry permit.

The latest arrest is just one more in a string of recent traffic-related legal issues for Bouknight. He was already dealing with charges from last November related to speeding and reckless driving. Court documents show Bouknight was driving 107 mph in a 65 mph zone.

Following Sunday’s arrest, he has been released from jail on a $2,500 bond.