Marshon Lattimore, a top cornerback for the Washington Commanders, was arrested today in Lakewood, Ohio. I confirmed with city police that the case centers on weapons-related allegations tied to an encounter where officers say he did not disclose he had a firearm. No injuries were reported. The investigation is active.
What happened in Lakewood
The arrest took place in Lakewood, a suburb west of Cleveland. Police said the stop involved a firearm and a possible failure to disclose during contact with officers. Lattimore was taken into custody and booked. Formal charges and a first court date are pending with local prosecutors.
Under Ohio law, the facts matter. Ohio allows most adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. But officers can ask if a person is armed. If they do, the person must answer truthfully. Whether Lattimore was asked, and how he responded, is the key legal question here.
I have requested the incident report, body camera video, and any 911 audio. Those records, if released, will help clarify the timeline. For now, we are working from police statements and booking details.
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Ohio allows permitless carry, but lying or failing to disclose when an officer asks can still be a crime.
The law at issue in Ohio
Ohio’s permitless carry law took effect in 2022. It removed the old rule that required immediate notice. Today, the duty turns on whether an officer asks about a firearm. If the person is asked, they must disclose. If not asked, there is no duty to volunteer.
Charges in cases like this can range from a minor misdemeanor to more serious counts. Penalties depend on facts like whether the gun was concealed, whether the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, and what was said during the stop. Any added factors, like impaired driving or a restricted location, can raise the stakes.
Lattimore has the right to counsel and the right to remain silent. He is presumed innocent. A first court appearance would address the exact charge, bond, and any weapon restrictions while the case is pending.
If you carry, keep your hands visible, listen carefully, and answer clearly if an officer asks about a firearm.
Due process, public records, and citizen rights
In Ohio, booking information and police reports are public records. Body camera video is also public, with limited redactions. Agencies often release these records after initial review. That process can take hours or days.
Drivers and passengers have the right to refuse consent to a search. They have the right to ask if they are free to leave. They have the right to counsel if detained or arrested. Clear communication can lower risk for everyone during a stop.
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You are not required to volunteer that you are armed unless an officer asks. If asked, you must answer truthfully.
What this means for the Commanders and the NFL
Lattimore is a former first round pick and a multiple time Pro Bowler. He joined Washington to anchor a young secondary. An arrest like this triggers two timelines. One is criminal. The other is the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
The league can begin its own review at once. It can seek records, conduct interviews, and consider discipline. The policy allows fines or suspensions even without a conviction, based on the facts. In some cases, a player can be placed on paid leave while a case plays out. That step is uncommon in lower level matters, but it remains an option.
For the Commanders, this could shape offseason plans. Teams often wait for legal clarity. They can offer support resources, plan contingencies, and adjust depth charts. Any roster move must also fit the NFL’s rules on discipline and leave.
Lattimore previously faced a separate gun matter in Cleveland in 2021. That case was later resolved. It does not decide guilt here, but it will shape public perception and may inform league review.
What we know, and what we do not know
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Arrest location: Lakewood, Ohio, near Cleveland
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Allegation: Failure to disclose a firearm during a police encounter
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Status: In custody and booked, investigation ongoing
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Rights: Lattimore has counsel rights and is presumed innocent
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Unknowns: Exact charges and statute cited
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Unknowns: Full body camera and report details
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Unknowns: Timing of first court appearance
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Unknowns: Any NFL or team discipline
The bottom line
This case rests on a narrow but important rule. In Ohio, the duty to inform is triggered by the officer’s question. The next 48 hours will set the legal path, from the formal charge to first court. The NFL will watch closely. So will Washington. For citizens, the lesson is clear. Know your rights, know your duties, and say exactly what the law requires, no more and no less.
