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Former LSU star Demetrius Byrd arrested after pulling multi-tool on bus passenger

Demetrius Byrd was taken into custody in Miami-Dade after an altercation on a Miami Beach bus where he displayed a silver multi-tool blade and threatened another rider.

Authorities arrested former LSU standout Demetrius Byrd in Miami-Dade after an incident on a Miami Beach bus where he confronted another passenger. The confrontation escalated when Byrd took a silver multi-tool from his pocket, opened the blade and issued a threat. The victim reported that Byrd had been shouting at other riders before the exchange.

Following the arrest, Byrd was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and released on a $5,000 bond, yet he stays in jail due to an outstanding domestic-violence warrant. Byrd, who briefly played for the San Diego Chargers before a 2009 car-accident injury ended his NFL career, previously starred at LSU, catching a game-winning touchdown in the 2007 national championship. He attended Miami Central High School and led Miami-Dade County in receiving yards during high school.

Why it matters

The arrest highlights ongoing legal issues for a former professional athlete and raises public safety concerns on public transit.

In this story

Demetrius Byrdaggravated assaultmulti-toolbus incidentMiami-Dadepublic transit safety