Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. has been taken into custody following a serious incident that authorities say involved his ex-girlfriend, WNBA Los Angeles Sparks player Rickea Jackson.
According to law enforcement officials, the situation unfolded after what has been described as a domestic dispute. Police allege that Pearce pursued Jackson in his vehicle and, during the course of the encounter, intentionally struck her car in an effort to stop her from reaching a police station.
Authorities say the pursuit ended when Pearce allegedly crashed his own vehicle while attempting to flee responding officers. He was then arrested at the scene.
Investigators have listed several felony charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or attempting to elude police. A vehicle can be classified as a deadly weapon under the law when it is allegedly used in a manner capable of causing serious harm.
Officials emphasized that the accusations remain part of an active investigation, and Pearce is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
News of the arrest has sent shockwaves through both the football and basketball communities, given the high profiles of the individuals involved. Pearce, a recent addition to the Falcons roster, is considered one of the league’s promising young talents, while Jackson has built a strong following as a standout figure in the WNBA.
Neither Pearce nor Jackson had issued a public statement at the time of reporting. Representatives for the Falcons and the Sparks are also yet to provide detailed comments, though teams in similar situations often say they are gathering information before responding.
The incident has quickly become a major topic online, with fans expressing concern and calling for due process while acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations.
As the legal process moves forward, more details are expected to emerge regarding what led to the confrontation and the events that followed.
