Athletic star Sha'Carri Richardson takes into police custody due to allegations of domestic violence in a disagreement with her athlete companion, Christian Coleman.
In a surprising turn of events, Olympic champion Sha'Carri Richardson found herself in the headlines not for her record-breaking performances, but for an alleged incident of domestic violence.
On Sunday, Richardson was arrested at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. According to a police report, she is accused of shoving her boyfriend, Christian Coleman, multiple times and blocking his way. Footage of the alleged incident was captured on a security camera at the airport, showing Richardson reaching out with her left arm and grabbing Coleman's backpack before pushing it away.
However, the case was ultimately cleared. Coleman chose not to press charges, stating that he declined to be a victim. Richardson was held in custody for less than 20 hours, landing at the SCORE South Correctional Facility in Des Moines, Wash at 6:54pm on Sunday and being released at 1:30pm on Monday.
The incident occurred near a TSA security checkpoint at the airport, and it disrupted Richardson's travel plans. The disagreement reportedly happened while both athletes were traveling to the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships.
Despite the distraction, Richardson managed to withdraw from the 100m semifinals at the championships but retained her automatic spot for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to her 2023 world champion status.
Richardson, the reigning world champion in the 100 meters, made her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 games. She won the gold medal in the 100m event at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023, anchoring Team USA to first place in the 4x100m relay race. In 2019, she broke two Under-20 world records on the same day at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships.
Richardson's distinctive style, including eye-catching hair colours, long painted nails, and unique tattoos, has made her a popular figure in the world of athletics.
The latest update on the domestic violence allegations against Richardson and Coleman is that the case was cleared because Coleman chose not to press charges. Richardson accepted a ban "for an anti-doping rule violation for testing positive for a substance of abuse" in 2021, serving a one-month ban after testing positive for THC (cannabis).
The SPRINT series on Netflix documents Richardson's journey back to the spotlight, providing a glimpse into her life beyond the track. Despite the recent incident, Richardson remains a formidable force in the world of athletics, with her focus firmly set on her upcoming competitions.
[1] ABC News, "Sha'Carri Richardson Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges, Case Later Dropped", link [2] USA Today, "Sha'Carri Richardson Arrested at Seattle Airport on Domestic Violence Charges", link
- Despite her recent brush with domestic violence allegations and a brief arrest, Sha'Carri Richardson showcased her resilience and determination by managing to compete in the 100m semifinals at the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships, retaining her automatic spot for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo due to her 2023 world champion status.
- Known for her striking personality and athletic prowess, Sha'Carri Richardson, the reigning world champion in the 100 meters, continues to make headlines, not only for her record-breaking performances on the track but also for the controversies that have marred her career, including the domestic violence allegations against her and her subsequent ban for an anti-doping rule violation.
