Mizzou defensive end Tre Williams arrested for domestic assault, suspended from team

Dec. 11--COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri Tigers defensive end Tre Williams was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree domestic assault.

Williams, 21, was arrested after a verbal argument turned physical early Sunday morning, Columbia Police Department spokesman Jeff Pitts said. Around 1:45 a.m., officers responded to a report of a physical altercation in the 3900 block of South Providence. The alleged victim reported that there was a verbal argument with Williams while the victim was driving. Williams became physically aggressive with the alleged victim in the vehicle. Officers observed physical evidence that supported the claim that the victim gave.

Williams has had "an intimate relationship" with the alleged victim, Pitts said in an email.

Williams was arrested at his off-campus residence on Bethel Church Road and booked around 7 a.m. at the Boone County Sheriff Department jail. He posted bond of $4,500 and was released around 8:30 a.m.

"We were made aware of the situation yesterday, and Tre was immediately suspended indefinitely from all team activities," Missouri coach Barry Odom said Monday in a statement provided to the Post-Dispatch. "We will provide an update if his status changes."

Second-degree domestic assault is considered a Class D felony. According to the MU student-athlete handbook, any Mizzou athlete arrested for a felony is suspended indefinitely from team activities. Athletes facing felony charges may have their status modified or lifted by the the school's Chief Student Affairs Officer, after which the athlete may appeal the decision to the university chancellor. Any athlete found guilty of a felony charge or who pleads guilty to a felony charge is barred permanently from participating in athletics at Mizzou.

In December 2016, Odom dismissed backup wide receiver Keyon Dilosa after he was arrested for allegedly punching a woman in the face. He was later charged with third-degree domestic assault. At the time, Odom said the dismissal was an automatic punishment for an incident involving a woman.

"There's a few things in our program there's no gray area," Odom said after he kicked Dilosa off the team. "That's one of them. ... Our guys know. We had speakers come in and talk about all societal issues. That was one of them. As a program we've got to stand for certain things."

Williams, a redshirt sophomore from Columbia's Rock Bridge High, started six games for the Tigers this season and has 20 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, which ranks third on the team.

The Tigers (8-4) play Oklahoma State (6-6) in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve.

Should Williams be unavailable for the bowl game, the Tigers have plenty of options at defensive end. Chris Turner has started every game and Akial Byers came on strong late in the season, starting the final five games of the regular season. The Tigers could also give more time to senior Nate Anderson or freshmen Trajan Jeffcoat.

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