Details describe violent scene before former Arizona Cardinal Adrian Wilson’s arrest in Scottsdale

Details of former Arizona Cardinals star safety Adrian Wilson’s arrest on June 1 describe Wilson as unstable after a domestic disturbance at the Wilson family home early that morning.

Wilson, 44, had been the Carolina Panthers’ vice president of player personnel until recently, when it was reported by the Charlotte Observer that the former five-time Pro Bowler and Cardinals Ring of Honor inductee was no longer employed by the NFL team. He was in Scottsdale on June 1 when police came to his house and took him into custody on charges of assault with reckless intent to injure, criminal property damage and disorderly conduct-disruptive behavior.

The official Scottsdale Police Department incident report, obtained Wednesday by The Arizona Republic, said police responded to a call from the Wilson family home after Wilson’s daughter called for help, telling a dispatcher that her father “had yelled at her mom, threw multiple objects around, took a gun out of a safe, and drove off after saying he was going to kill himself in the desert.”

The Wilson family met police at a precinct, where family members described Wilson’s angry behavior. According to report details, he’d put his hands around the neck of his wife and broken things in the room, upset over his wife having left him separation papers for him to sign.

Wilson, who was a scout and also worked in the Cardinals’ front office before taking the Carolina job in early 2023, had gone to live in North Carolina while his family stayed behind in Arizona. Wilson’s wife said she’d hired a private investigator to look into her husband being unfaithful, and Adrian Wilson “just lost it from there” after he’d seen the separation papers.

Wilson took a handgun out of a safe as the argument became physical, and his wife was able to get herself and her children out of the house.

Wilson threatened suicide to his mother, he admitted in an interview with police. He admitted to breaking objects in the house, and that it was depressing being away from family for 14 months. He also denied becoming physical with his wife, despite her report saying that Wilson had placed his hands around her neck.

At 6:33 a.m. on June 1, Wilson was informed of the charges against him and taken into custody. He complied with officers without incident.

Later that morning, Wilson was released. ESPN reported that he’d posted bail.

Wilson is due for a virtual court appearance on July 16.