Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant will not face criminal charges stemming from his Instagram Live video in which he appeared to display a handgun at a nightclub, the Glendale, Colorado, police department announced Wednesday afternoon.
The Glendale police conducted an investigation after being alerted to the video, determining that the incident took place at a strip club called Shotgun Willie’s early Saturday morning, hours after Memphis’ loss to the Denver Nuggets, but that there “was not enough available evidence to charge anyone with a crime,” according to a news release.
“GPD was not able to determine that probable cause existed for the filing of any charges,” the news release stated, in part. “In this case, it should be noted that on the night in question the GPD did not receive any calls for service at the nightclub regarding a weapon of any type. Subsequently, no disturbances were reported, and no citizens or patrons of the club came forward to make a complaint. The investigation also concluded that no one was threatened or menaced with the firearm and in fact no firearm was ever located.”
Morant, 23, apologized for the incident in a statement released Saturday afternoon and has been away from the team as the NBA conducts its investigation. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said the team does not have a definitive timetable for the All-Star guard’s return. Memphis hosts the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
NBA rules prohibit a player from possessing a firearm while on team property or traveling on team business.
Colorado is an open-carry state, although there are exceptions to the law, including the carrying of a firearm on federal property. It is illegal in Colorado to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
In the video livestreamed by Morant, it is not clear whether he is intoxicated but others are shown drinking.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Liz Merrill contributed to this report.