Hope Solo arrested after 'big party' for assault
U.S. women's soccer star Hope Solo was arrested at a suburban Seattle home early Saturday for assaulting her sister and 17-year-old nephew, police said.
Officers responded just before 1 a.m. after receiving a 911 call that a woman at the Kirkland residence was hitting people and that she refused to stop or leave, the Kirkland Police Department said in a news release.
“There was a big party going on at her house. It was an out-of-control situation,” said Kirkland police Lt. Mike Murray who added that officers were called to the home because of an assault and a noise disturbance.
They found Solo intoxicated and upset, saw injuries on her nephew and her sister, and arrested her after speaking with those present and determining that she was the primary aggressor, the release said.
She was booked into jail for investigation of two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence assault, and she was expected to remain in custody until an appearance Monday at Kirkland Municipal Court.
It wasn't immediately clear if she had a lawyer. A telephone number listed for her was not accepting incoming calls Saturday.
Solo, 32, has won two Olympic gold medals as a goalkeeper for the U.S. women's national team. She also plays with the Seattle Reign of the National Women's Soccer League.
The Seattle Reign FC released a statement: “We are aware of the situation regarding Hope Solo and are currently gathering information. We have no further comments at this time.”
U.S. Soccer released a similarly worded statement.
Last Saturday, Solo posted her record-tying 71st career shutout, as the U.S. team beat France 1-0 in an exhibition match in Tampa, Fla. Solo has made 152 appearances for the national team, reports the Seattle Times.
In 2012, she married former Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens. He was arrested just before their wedding for investigation of assault after a disturbance involving her, but he was not charged.
Solo said soon afterward that there never was an assault and that she and her new husband were happy.
"It's unfortunate what the media can do to judge before the facts are out there. It's hard to see, but it's a hard truth, and it's part of life," she said then. "I'm happy. I'm happily married. I would never stand for domestic violence. I've never been hit in my life."
The Kirkland Police Department statement reads:
On June 21st 2014 and just before 1:00 am, Kirkland Police Department Patrol Units responded to a 911 call of a disturbance in the 10600 block of 124th AVE NE. The male caller stated that a female at the residence was “hitting people” and they could not get her to stop or to leave the house. Officer arrived and immediately heard the sounds of the disturbance inside the residence.
They entered and contacted several persons; one being Hope A Stevens (Solo) who appeared intoxicated and upset. As officers made contact, they observed visible injuries on Solo’s 17-year-old nephew and on Solo’s sister. After receiving statements of the persons involved, Officers determined that Solo was the primary aggressor and had instigated the assault.
Solo was arrested on 2 counts of Domestic Violence Assault 4th Degree and booked into the south King County detention facility (SCORE). Solo will have a mandatory court appearance Monday June 23rd at the Kirkland Municipal Court, with the time yet to be determined.
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