SAN DIEGO — Mikey Williams, a local high school basketball star with a massive social media following, was arrested Thursday, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
Jail records show 18-year-old Michael Anthony Williams, born June 26, 2004, was arrested near the 2600 block of Bratton Valley Road in the Jamul area around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
According to the SDSO, Williams was arrested in connection with an altercation that occurred on Mar. 27, 2023 just before midnight.
The incident, which SDSO said was reported the next day, started as a verbal argument about guests being asked to leave from a house in the same Jamul block.
Five people, including three minors, then got into a car and were driving away when shots were fired at the vehicle. The car was hit, the SDSO said, but nobody inside was hurt.
Williams was arrested on suspicion of five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, while deputies served a search warrant to the house. Officials said to FOX 5 that Williams had one firearm in his possession at the time of his arrest.
He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail with a bail set at $50,000. Williams has since posted bond and is no longer in police custody. According to the SDSO, He is expected to appear in an El Cajon court room on Thursday, Apr. 20 at 8 a.m.
Troy P. Owens, Jr., Williams’ attorney, released a statement in part saying:
“While this case has received significant attention in the last 24 hours, we ask that people appreciate the fact that Mr. Williams is an 18-year-old high school student. Harassment, threats, or any other behavior of the sort is unwarranted. We are aware of several narratives being advanced online that are not factual and are designed to humiliate Mr. Williams. We are confident that the truth will come to light.”
FOX 5 spoke to Williams’ neighbor Rob Henry who says he feels sorry for him “because it seemed like he had a good deal going for him and he kind of blew it.”
“I don’t know the circumstances of why he shot or accused of shooting somebody, but bottom line is you got to defend yourself, especially out. We’re four hours from any help,” Henry said.
Williams, who played basketball for San Ysidro High School, has amassed millions of followers online and had committed to play for the University of Memphis basketball team next season.
As of Friday morning, Williams had deactivated his Instagram account, which has nearly 4 million followers.
Williams, who reportedly signed an endorsement deal with Puma in 2021, is currently ranked by ESPN as the 34th best high school basketball prospect in the country for the Class of 2023.
The University of Memphis Athletics Department released the following statement: “We are aware of the situation and are gathering more information.”
This is a developing story, we will provide more details as they become available.
