Former NFL wide receiver Demetrius Byrd was arrested and is being held in a Miami-Dade jail after authorities charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from an incident aboard a Miami Beach bus.
According to an arrest report, Byrd allegedly became involved in a verbal altercation with another passenger that escalated when he pulled a silver multi-tool from his pocket, unfolded the blade, and reportedly asked, “Who wants to die?” while advancing toward the victim.
Police said the victim attempted to de-escalate the confrontation by speaking with Byrd in an effort to calm him before the situation worsened.
During his bond hearing, a judge determined there was probable cause to support the aggravated assault charge. Byrd was granted a $5,000 bond but must also appear before a judge regarding an outstanding warrant connected to a separate domestic violence case.
The 40-year-old Byrd starred at Miami Central Senior High School, where he led Miami-Dade County in receiving yards before continuing his football career at LSU. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft but was released by the team in 2010 after suffering serious injuries in a car accident.
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