Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is under investigation by Colorado police over whether he violated any gun laws after the gunman apologized for displaying a firearm at a strip club.
Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant is under investigation by police in Colorado after displaying what appeared to be a weapon in an Instagram Live video.
Police in Glendale, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, are investigating to see if Morant violated any gun laws.
Colorado is a state that has open carry laws with exceptions and limitations. One of them states that it is illegal to possess a firearm if someone is under the influence of alcohol.
According to NBA rules, players may not carry firearms while on team property or while traveling on team business.
Glendale Police Capt. Jamie Dillon says his department received no calls or complaints about Morant or his actions and only began investigating Saturday after learning of the video online.
Police in Glendale, CO are investigating Grizzlies star Ja Morant after he displayed what appeared to be a firearm in live video posted to Instagram after a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
This news comes a day after Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said there is “no timetable” for Morant to return to the team.
The former No. 2 overall pick from Murray State was suspended for two games by the team before announcing that he would seek help and take time off.
The Grizzlies coach said Morant understands he’s made “some tough decisions and bad choices in the past.”
“He’s definitely coming to terms with the mistakes he’s made, but only time will tell,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to support him and hold him accountable for making those changes.”
Jenkins declined to detail the steps Morant must take to rejoin the team, saying: “We love him, we want what’s best for him, we support him.” It’s going to be a difficult process, but we have a great group to get through this.’
The league, if it finds wrongdoing, could fine or suspend Morant, who was also the subject of a league investigation after a Jan. 29 incident in Memphis that he said led to a friend of his being banned from games in home for a year.
That incident occurred after a game against the Indiana Pacers. Several news outlets reported that members of the Pacers saw a red dot pointed at them, and a team security guard believed the laser was attached to a weapon.
After being suspended by the team for his actions, Morant announced that he would be taking some time off.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins says Morant understands he made ‘bad decisions in the past’
The NBA confirmed that unidentified people were barred from the arena, but said its investigation found no evidence that anyone was threatened with a weapon.
“This is a difficult time for a young child who has to grow and improve,” Jenkins said. He has big responsibilities not just to the team, to the city, but I know how it builds with that care factor and what steps he’s taking now. It’s a step in the direction of really being the best version of yourself.”
Now in his fourth season with the Grizzlies, the 23-year-old two-time All-Star is the father of a daughter.
Jenkins described Morant as “a generally amazing person, a great family person, a father, a brother, a son, a member of our community.”
“My hope is that he gets better,” Jenkins said. “He knows that he has a lot of love and support.”