Body Camera Footage Captures NFL Star's Arrest and Gun Discovery
Newly released body camera footage from the arrest of Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore reveals the moment he informed police he was unarmed, only for officers to subsequently discover firearms inside his vehicle. The incident, which occurred on January 7, led to charges of carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.
Traffic Stop Escalates to Weapon Charges
Lattimore was initially pulled over in Lakewood, Ohio, for a minor traffic violation. When police ran his license plates, they discovered they were expired. Officers then asked the NFL player if there were any guns or knives in the car, to which Lattimore responded, 'No.' Due to the expired plates, police decided to tow and inventory the vehicle.
Upon opening the glovebox, officers found a loaded handgun. The bodycam video clearly shows Lattimore denying the presence of a firearm, followed by the discovery of the weapon. An officer was overheard saying, 'We can go ahead and book him,' before placing Lattimore in the back of a squad car.
Legal Proceedings and Previous Firearm Incidents
Lattimore pled not guilty to the charges, and the case remains open and active. His attorneys initially stated he was stopped for expired plates and fully cooperated with law enforcement, noting he was not in custody and had not been charged at the time. Two days later, they clarified he was cited for failing to promptly inform police of the lawfully possessed firearm in his vehicle, with no other weapons-related charges pending.
This is not Lattimore's first encounter with legal issues involving firearms. In 2021, he was arrested in Cleveland for possession of a handgun believed to be stolen, facing charges of receiving stolen property and possession of a concealed weapon. He pled guilty to a lesser charge of failing to inform officers about the concealed handgun, receiving one year of probation and a $1,000 fine.
Background and Career Impact
A native of Cleveland, Lattimore played college football at Ohio State before being selected 11th overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played nearly eight full seasons with the Saints before being traded to Washington in the middle of last season. His professional accolades include being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and earning four Pro Bowl selections.
Lattimore's 2025 season was cut short when he tore his ACL in the third quarter of the team's Week 9 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. During his arrest, he informed officers he couldn't bend his knee properly due to recovery from surgery on the injury sustained in November.
