WNBA’s Riquna Williams has been suspended for 10 days after reports of domestic violence.
Williams was arrested on April 29 and has since been charged with two felony counts, one involving the assault of an individual with whom she was in a relationship and the other involving a threat to another person with a firearm.
The league announced the news on Tuesday and wrote a statement, saying it conducted “its own internal investigation” into the incident and interviewed Williams as well as “several witnesses.” The league added that it had consulted a panel of “experts in the field of domestic violence, upon whom the league relies in connection with such matters.”
According to an arrest report, Williams forced her way inside a Florida home, repeatedly struck Alkeria Davis in the head and pulled her hair on Dec. 6. Two men also told police they spent 10 minutes trying to break up the fight. That’s when the men say Williams, 28, grabbed a gun and placed it on the car, pointed it at the man and said “you’ll get all 18” before speeding off, authorities said.
The WNBA said it had considered “the nature and seriousness of the conduct at issue, including the involvement of a firearm” when choosing the amount of time Williams would be suspended. In addition, Williams will be required to take counseling.
Fox News reports that if Williams doesn’t appeal her suspension, her punishment will go into effect beginning with Thursday’s game against the Dallas Wings. However, there’s a possibility she could come back for the remaining eight games of the regular season beginning on Aug. 22 against the Indiana Fever.
The league has yet to comment on the ruling. Williams’ case is ongoing. Davis said she and Williams have been together on and off for five years and broke up a month earlier. However, she also said Williams has never been violent in the past, but she felt Williams was jealous. The story is still developing.
