Sha’Carri Richardson, one of Team USA’s standout Olympic sprinters, found herself behind bars Sunday after an alleged physical altercation with her boyfriend, Christian Coleman, at Seattle’s SeaTac Airport.
According to law enforcement, the drama unfolded just past the TSA checkpoint. A Transportation Security Administration agent reportedly witnessed Richardson assaulting a man, later identified as Coleman. Police reviewed surveillance footage that captured a heated exchange between the two athletes turning physical.
Authorities say the footage shows Richardson shoving Coleman “hard enough that it [sent] him crashing into a nearby column.”
As Coleman tried to distance himself, Richardson allegedly continued the confrontation, pushing him again and sending him “flying a few feet away.”
Coleman reportedly returned to the TSA screening area to seek help. Surveillance video shows Richardson trailing behind and throwing a pair of headphones that hit him.
After reviewing the footage, the responding officer determined there was probable cause and arrested Richardson on the spot. She was booked into SCORE jail and charged with fourth-degree assault.
Despite the video evidence, both Richardson and Coleman told police there was no physical altercation. Coleman even declined to press charges or be listed as a victim, according to the police report.
Richardson’s release time remains unclear, but both athletes were back on the track Thursday at a competition in Oregon.
