Video footage has been released of the arrest of New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore last month in his hometown of Cleveland.
Lattimore was charged with possessing a loaded pistol that was believed to have been stolen, which is a fourth-degree felony. He was also initially arrested for failing to notify officers of a concealed weapon.
The video shows Lattimore not immediately telling officers he was carrying a concealed weapon while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle that was dragged for traffic violations. But when asked if anyone was carrying a gun, Lattimore told them he had a Smith & Wesson-loaded gun tucked under his pants. He said he didn’t want to look like he was looking for anything. He also told them he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
An officer warned Lattimore that “you will be shot.” Another added, “Get a cover, brother.”
Officers also suggested that Lattimore and other people in the car appeared to be smoking a large amount of marijuana. When asked if he had any drugs other than weeds, Lattimore said no.
Eventually, officers realized who Lattimore was. And one of them said, “The amount of things you have for yourself … it’s not like you’re a silly F’-ing out there, brother.”
“I know, I’m not,” Lattimore replied. “I just got home.”
Lattimore spent two nights in Cuyahoga County Prison before being released on bail. The case would then go to a grand jury to determine if he would be formally charged.
Two additional passengers, Kenyon Moon and Maurice Walton, were arrested on charges of having weapons while disabled. The driver, Carl Willis, was arrested on charges of improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Lattimore, 24, is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and is heading into the final year of his rookie contract with the Saints. He has been selected for three Pro Bowls and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017 after being selected in the first round of the state of Ohio.