WNBA star Rickea Jackson is the victim in a Miami incident leading to NFL player James Pearce Jr.'s felony arrest for aggravated battery and stalking.
WNBA star Rickea Jackson was identified by police as the victim in a Miami-area incident that resulted in the arrest of Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. on multiple felony charges over the weekend.
According to Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez, officers were dispatched Saturday following a reported domestic dispute involving a male and female. Police later confirmed that the woman involved was Jackson, a standout forward for the Los Angeles Sparks. Authorities did not release details about the nature of the alleged assault, but confirmed that Jackson is not accused of any wrongdoing.
James Pearce Jr., 22, was taken into custody after allegedly fleeing the scene when officers arrived. Police said Pearce led authorities on a vehicle pursuit before crashing near Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street, where he was arrested and placed in handcuffs.
Jail records show Pearce faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, along with one count each of aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police with lights or siren. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County, with bond not set as of Saturday night.
Lopez confirmed to Local 10 News that Jackson was the victim named in the police report. Authorities did not disclose whether she sustained injuries, citing the ongoing investigation, and no additional details regarding her condition were made public.
Neither the Los Angeles Sparks nor the WNBA issued statements over the weekend, and the league has not announced any review involving Jackson. There is no indication she violated any league policy, and she has not been charged or cited in connection with the incident.
Jackson, one of the league’s rising young stars, has quickly become a central figure in the Sparks’ rebuilding efforts. Known for her scoring ability and physical presence, she has drawn national attention for her impact on the court since entering the league. News that she was identified as the victim in an alleged violent incident prompted concern across the women’s basketball community.
The Atlanta Falcons acknowledged Pearce’s arrest in a brief statement Saturday evening, declining to comment further while the legal process unfolds.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the Falcons said. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
Pearce was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is coming off a standout rookie season in which he recorded 10.5 sacks and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. His football future is now uncertain as the case proceeds.
Local 10 News reported that it has requested the full arrest report from the Doral Police Department. Authorities said the investigation remains active, and further information is expected to be released at a later date.
For now, attention within the WNBA remains on Jackson’s safety and privacy. As the legal process continues, no allegations have been made against her, and police have been clear that she is the victim referenced in the incident that led to Pearce’s arrest.