Poker game argument led to WR Latimer's arrest

Washington Redskins receiver Cody Latimer was charged with three felonies after an alleged argument during a poker game led to the receiver threatening his best friend with a gun, according to the police report obtained by 9NEWS Denver.

Latimer was arrested at 3:15 a.m. Saturday and was charged with assault in the second degree, menacing, illegal discharge of a firearm, prohibited use of weapons and reckless endangerment. He was scheduled to appear for a court hearing Monday in Douglas County, Colorado.

According to the police report, Latimer and another player got into a heated argument during a poker game at the home of Roderick English, who told police that Latimer was his best friend. English said he separated the two in the argument and ordered everyone — according to the police report, there were seven or eight people participating — to leave his apartment.

English told police that both he and Latimer had been drinking.

Per the police report, 30 minutes after leaving, Latimer returned to English’s apartment, was agitated and angry, and blamed English for the initial confrontation during the poker game. At that point, English told police that Latimer pulled out a handgun from his hoodie and waved it around, but not directly at English or his girlfriend, Madi Shal. According to the police report, Latimer said he was going to kill everybody.

The situation de-escalated when Latimer emptied the magazine and cleared the chamber of his gun, according to the police report. But the peace didn’t last long as Latimer later fired two shots near English, who responded by pinning Latimer against the wall. Latimer retaliated by hitting English on the top of his head with the gun. English fell but continued to hold Latimer and again pinned him up against the wall. The fight ended after Latimer told English to calm down.

A police detective arrived on the scene at 12:11 a.m. Saturday. English was detained and taken for medical attention after suffering a contusion on the top of his head and a cut on his face. Latimer was released from the Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bond.

His attorney, Harvey Steinberg, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday: “There’s an entire back story to this situation that constitutes one of the most highly provocative situations you can imagine. Please withhold judgment until all the facts of what took place that night are known.”

Washington signed Latimer to a one-year deal March 25. He has played six seasons in the NFL — four with Denver and the last two with the New York Giants.

Washington signed him for receiver depth and special teams help, but drafted receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden in the fourth round last month. The Redskins have placed a big emphasis on culture under new coach Ron Rivera.