NEED TO KNOW
Sha’Carri Richardson is apologizing after her domestic violence arrest last month
The Olympic sprinter allegedly was involved in an altercation with boyfriend Christian Coleman at the Seattle airport on July 27
Coleman declined to press charges following the incident
Sha’Carri Richardson is speaking out in the wake of her domestic violence arrest.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Olympic gold and silver medalist extended an apology in two posts on her Instagram Stories, two weeks after her July 27 arrest at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“I apologize to Christian,” Richardson, 25, wrote, referring to her boyfriend, Christian Coleman. “He came into my life & gave me more than a relationship but a greater understanding of unconditional love from what I’ve experienced in my past. Due to my past trauma & pain. I was blind & blocked off to not only receive it but give it.”
She continued, “I love him & I can’t apologize enough. My apology should be just as loud as my actions, honestly louder, to Christian. I love you & I am so sorry.”
In a separate video, the track star said that she was doing “a lot of self-reflection” after her arrest and that she recognizes that she put her sprinter boyfriend in a “compromising situation” during the airport altercation.
In the incident, the arresting officer allegedly witnessed Richardson push Coleman multiple times, before he fell into a nearby column, according to USA Today, citing the Seattle Police Department.
Airport security footage allegedly documented Coleman attempting to walk away from Richardson, but she kept bumping into him. Authorities also reported that she threw a pair of headphones at him.
Richard Heathcote/Getty
Sha’Carri Richardson
Coleman, 29, refused to press charges and “declined to be a victim,” according to the New York Times.
Last week, he defended Richardson.
https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
“For me personally, I feel like it was a sucky situation all round,” Coleman told reporters on Sunday, Aug. 3. “I don’t feel like she should have been arrested. I mean people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that.”
However, the three-time world championship gold medalist also alluded to Richardson’s past emotional struggles.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“She has things that she needs to work on for herself, of course,” he said. “So do I, so do you, so does everybody. But I’m the type of guy who’s in the business of extending grace, and mercy and love.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Read the original article on People
