Bengals star Joe Mixon avoids indictment for shooting near his home

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will not be indicted for a shooting that occurred near his home earlier this month.

Mixon’s home was part of a police probe on March 6 following a report of shots fired in the neighborhood. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities found a juvenile who sustained “non-life threatening injuries” and was later released from the hospital.

A police investigation determined that teenagers were engaging in “Nerf wars” at the time of the incident. Following the release of the final report, Mixon’s agent Peter Schaffer released a statement detailing the NFL star’s account of what happened.

Mixo, whose address was reportedly leaked weeks prior, says he faced multiple threats to his physical safety and encountered harassment on social media that cited his residential address. On the night of March 6, Mixon’s agent said multiple vehicles pulled up in front of his home and blocked off the street. The 26-year-old running back looked out the window, while it was dark, and believed he saw multiple people carrying weapons as they ran into neighbors’ yards.

“Joe and his physical therapist felt threatened and feared for their safety and the safety of the small children in the residence. At this time, Joe called the Bengals director of security to have police dispatched immediately to the residence. The physical therapist called 911 from a separate room. This 911 call recording has been made public and clearly shows the level of fear and concern in his voice from the situation as he was hiding behind a column in the house. The adults inside then instructed the five small children to race to the basement to shelter in place out of harm’s way.”

Peter Schaffer, Joe Mixon’s attorney, on the night of the shooting

While Mixon wasn’t indicted, county prosecutors charged his sister with tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. Lamonte Brewer, her boyfriend, was indicted on multiple felonies including one count of assault and two counts of having weapons under disability.

The Bengals star reportedly cooperated with authorities throughout their investigation, providing a full account of his experience during the incident. According to county officials, video surveillance showed Mixon standing with Brewer in the backyard while Mixon’s sister collected shell casings.