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Falcons' James Pearce Jr. Arrested After Domestic Incident, Police Chase, and Crash
The 22-year-old linebacker was involved in an altercation with WNBA star Rickea Jackson before fleeing and crashing his vehicle.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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NFL player James Pearce Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons was arrested in Doral, Florida after a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson led to a police chase and a vehicle crash. Pearce is facing multiple charges including aggravated battery, aggravated stalking, and fleeing from police.
Why it matters
This incident raises concerns about domestic violence issues among professional athletes and the need for better support systems and accountability. It also highlights the dangers of high-speed police chases and the potential for serious harm to the public.
The details
According to police, officers were initially called to Doral Police Department headquarters for a reported dispute between Pearce and Jackson. Pearce then fled the scene and later crashed his vehicle at an intersection. He was arrested and is facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing or eluding police.
- On February 8, 2026, police were called to DPD headquarters for a reported domestic dispute.
- Pearce fled the scene and later crashed his vehicle at Northwest 103rd Avenue and 66th Street.
The players
James Pearce Jr.
A 22-year-old linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons who was the runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025 after recording 10.5 sacks.
Rickea Jackson
A WNBA player who was involved in the domestic dispute with Pearce that led to his arrest.
Edwin Lopez
The Doral Police Chief who confirmed details of the incident to local news outlet Local 10 News.
What’s next
Pearce's bond has not yet been set as of Saturday night, and the Doral Police Department has requested his full arrest report from the incident.
The takeaway
This case highlights the need for professional sports leagues and teams to have stronger policies and support systems in place to address domestic violence issues involving their players. It also underscores the dangers of high-speed police chases and the importance of de-escalation tactics to protect public safety.
