Sha'Carri Richardson's Boyfriend Christian Coleman Defends Her After Domestic Violence Arrest

Sha'Carri Richardson's boyfriend Christian Coleman defended the track and field star after she was arrested for allegedly assaulting him at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport on Sunday. Richardson, 25, was accused of shoving the 29-year-old, who is also a track and field sprinter, and throwing headphones at him. According to the Associated Press, Richardson was in custody for 19 hours following her fourth-degree domestic violence offense arrest and was held at the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) in Des Moines, Washington.

"For me personally, I feel like it was a sucky situation all round," Coleman said, per USA Today. "I don't feel like she should have been arrested. I mean people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that. She has things that she needs to work on for herself, of course. So do I, so do you, so does everybody. But I'm the type of guy who's in the business of extending grace, and mercy and love."

Coleman declined to press charges over the incident, which was captured on video.

“She’s a human being and a great person,” Coleman also said of Richardson. “And I feel like we’ve been able to be really good teammates like all year. … And she’s, to me, the best female athlete in the world. I see it every day.”

The altercation took place after Richardson came in fourth place in the women's 200-meter on Sunday. She qualified for the upcoming 100 meters world championships in Tokyo due to being the defending champion.