At about 5 pm last night, Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson were arrested at their home in Goodyear, AZ. Johnson’s sister called the police after a fight between Griner and Johnson became physical. According to police reports, several people in the home were unable to separate the two. Neither Griner nor Johnson sought prosecution and police arrested them both on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct.
Griner, Phoenix Mercury‘s star athlete, and Johnson, of the Tulsa Shock, announced their engagement last year, and were featured on Say Yes to the Dress.
Both Griner and Johnson sustained minor physical injuries in the fight, though neither were armed. According to the police report, Griner said the couple had been having relationship issues. “It turned into a fight,” Griner told responding officers, “Broke up. We kept arguing, mouthing back and forth, clashed again, separated us, clashed again, separated us, and here we are now.”
They were both released from police custody around 4am this morning.
Phoenix Mercury Executive Vice President, Jim Pitman, released this statement:
“The Mercury organization is aware of an alleged incident involving Brittney Griner. We are in the process of gathering additional information, and will have no further comment at this time.”
Tulsa Shock President, Steve Swetoha, also released a statement:
“We are aware of the reports out of Phoenix regarding our player Glory Johnson. We are in the process of gathering information at this time. Of course our first concern is for Glory’s well-being and health. We are looking into the matter further and have no other comment to make at this time.”
Intimate partner violence in queer relationships is often misunderstood, underreported or misreported. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and want to talk to someone or get help, you can call the Anti-Violence Project‘s 24-hour hotline at 212-714-1141, search the directory of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs or report the abuse through their secure online form.
