Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs was mandated to turn in several firearms last month in compliance to a domestic case involving his longtime girlfriend, Candace Williams, according to Justin Fenton and Jeff Zriebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
“The guns were surrendered over to police pursuant to the court order, and they [Suggs and Williams] are resolving their issues,” Suggs’ attorney Warren Alperstein told the Sun Thursday. “All I can tell you is that he’s in rightful and lawful possession of the guns but turned them over pursuant to the requirements of the law.”
Baltimore County Circuit Court records show that Suggs filed a custody complaint against Williams on Nov. 19. There was a report filed by Williams shortly afterwards, according to Alperstein. Baltimore County police were called to the home Suggs on Nov. 21, but no reports were taken.
Alperstein expects for all domestic-related issues to be resolved in a court hearing to be held next week.
The Ravens senior vice president of public and community relations, Kevin Byrne, said that the team is aware of Suggs’ off the field situation, but did not wish to release any comments on the matter. Suggs also chose not to comment.
Charles E. Brooks, Williams’ attorney, also refused to comment when the Baltimore Sun reached him at his home Thursday night.
Suggs and Williams have had a rocky relationship that dates back to 2009. Williams, who is the mother of Suggs two children and former fiancée, alleged in court documents in December 2009 that Suggs knocked her down and spilled bleach on her after an argument over game-day tickets.
The detailed complaint alleged that Suggs threw a soap dispenser at her head, hit her in the chest with his hand, and held a bottle of bleach over her and their son.
Williams filed a protective order against the Ravens veteran and was granted a temporary protective order, but she withdrew the order a month later in an attempt to reconcile. Suggs was not investigated or charged with a crime involving this incident.
Suggs handing over the guns has come to light after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher murdered his girlfriend Kasandra Perkins last week after the two were going through domestic issues. He then proceeded to the Chiefs’ practice facility and committed suicide in front of head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Scott Pioli.
Belcher was the legal handgun owner of the weapon used in the killings.
Suggs will attempt to play this week against the Washington Redskins after tearing his right biceps in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He returned to the practice field Thursday and has vowed to continue to play through the injury in order to help the team clinch the AFC North title.
