Las Vegas Aces’ Riquna Williams charged with 5 different counts: All you need to know

Riquna Williams was banned from her team after being arrested Tuesday for a domestic violence incident involving her spouse. Williams is a veteran member of the Las Vegas Aces.

Williams has been charged with five felony counts: Three counts of strangulation, one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of coercion with the threat of physical force.

Riquna Williams also faces four misdemeanor domestic battery charges. She was released without bail less than 24 hours after her arrest. She cannot contact her spouse and has been obliged to complete an alcohol monitoring course. She is due to appear in court on August 2.

Wlliams is banned from all team activities with the Aces. The team is investigating the details of the legal incident as the authorities do the same. The WNBA also said they were gathering further details surrounding the incident.

The Aces condemned domestic violence of any kind in their statement on the incident. There was no report on how long Riquna Williams may be banned from the team.

What happened in the incident?

The police report details the alleged violent conflict between Riquna Williams and her spouse. Williams allegedly accused her spouse of being unfaithful. She subsequently confiscated her personal items, including her cell phone, and left their home following an argument.

Williams then returned to the home to confront her spouse. She allegedly punched, kicked and attempted to strangle her in the ensuing dispute.

Williams then left the home again. Her spouse waited several hours out of fear before alerting authorities. Police on the scene observed injuries to the victim’s throat, eyebrows, and hand.

Who is Riquna Williams?

The 33-year-old had not appeared in a game yet this season due to a lower back injury.

Riquna Williams averaged 6.7 points per game in 21 games during the 2022 season as a backup player. She also operated as a ballhandler for the secondary unit on the Aces, averaging 1.2 assists per game in 2022.

The Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA title in 2022, and Williams was a part of the title-winning team. She participated in the team’s victory celebration parade last summer.

Williams was previously suspended for 10 games in 2019. The WNBA levied the ban after Williams was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend in Florida in 2019.