Austin Watson(Photo: Franklin Police Department)
A Nashville Predators forward who was part of a domestic violence public awareness campaign last year has been charged with domestic assault in Middle Tennessee, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Austin Watson, 26, of Nashville, was arrested at 7:20 p.m. on Saturday in the 1400 block of Murfreesboro Road in Franklin, according to Franklin Police Department Lt. Charles Warner.
According to an arrest affidavit, just after 7 p.m. that day, a Franklin police officer was flagged down by a witness for a possible domestic situation at the Shell Station on Murfreesboro Road.
When the officer responded, he noticed a vehicle at the station whose passenger was trying to “back away from being shoved away,” the affidavit states. “The passenger said ‘stop’ and was trying to cover her face.”
When the officer made contact with the driver, later identified as Watson, he said that he and his girlfriend, who was the passenger, were having an argument about her drinking and not being able to attend a wedding, the officer wrote in the affidavit.
At the scene, the affidavit continues, Watson admitted to pushing his girlfriend and the officer said he noticed red marks on her chest.
Watson was arrested and as of Wednesday he was free on $4,500 bond. He is due in Williamson County General Sessions court the afternoon of June 28 to face the charge.
Williamson County District Attorney Kim Helper said if Austin is convicted of the misdemeanor he faces up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and up to a $2,500 fine.
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Nashville Predators respond to arrest
Records show Watson and his former wife, Karly Marie Stothart, divorced in December 2016.
According to the Predators organization, Watson and his current girlfriend had a baby in April.
“We are aware of the incident involving Austin Watson on Saturday night. We are still gathering facts and it is not appropriate for us to comment further at this time, but this is a matter that we are taking very seriously and will cooperate fully with the investigation by law enforcement. The Nashville Predators have and will continue to stand side by side with AMEND in the fight to end violence against women.”
A first-round pick in 2010, Watson signed a three-year, $3.3 million contract in July 2017. He had a career-high 14 goals and 19 points this past season as well as eight points in 13 playoff games.
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NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league is also aware of the arrest.
“Austin doesn’t really have Club duties currently,” Daly said. “It will be dealt with in due course and prior to next season. Our focus currently is on the well being and safety of Austin’s girlfriend, their child and Austin himself. ”
Watson part of domestic violence awareness campaign
In 2017, Watson, former captain Mike Fisher, and defensemen P.K. Subban and Ryan Ellis were part of a public-awareness campaign titled “Unsilence the Violence.”
The effort, part of AMEND — the YWCA’s campaign to end violence against women, was in conjunction with the Nashville Predators Foundation’s $500,000 pledge.
According to AMEND, one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime.
This is a developing story.
Reporters Emily West and Adam Vingan contributed to this report. Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. Reach Emily West at erwest@tennessean.com. Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.
Austin Watson wasn’t dissatisfied with how the Predators played, but he said that momentum played a huge role in Winnipeg’s Game 5 win.
Autumn Allison, USA TODAY NETWORK- Tennessee
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