Former NBA player Ty Lawson was arrested on July 16 in Castle Rock, Colorado, on suspicion of shoplifting a $34 bottle of Tito's vodka. According to the arrest report, Lawson smelled strongly of alcohol and was found by officers at a nearby restaurant after allegedly taking the bottle.
During his arrest, Lawson reportedly repeatedly called a Castle Rock Police Department officer a "white b*tch." He was booked into Douglas County Jail on a shoplifting charge.
Following his arrest, Lawson took to social media to address the incident. On X, formerly Twitter, he posted, "Being black in America is tough…. Being lied to by a pasty face white woman wild… stay outta castle rock Colorado!!!! This the wildest and more racist s–t I been thru."
Lawson, who earned millions during an eight-year NBA career and was part of the 2009 NCAA championship-winning North Carolina team, has faced online criticism for his response. Some social media users questioned his claim of victimhood, with one user commenting, "It's racist to call out someone who made 40 mill and stole a bottle? Such a pathetic victim mentality."
Lawson played for the Denver Nuggets from 2009 to 2015, forming a key part of their backcourt. He also spent time with other NBA teams during his career.