‘I’m going to shoot you.’ | Dallas Mavericks Assistant Coach Darrell Armstrong arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon… See more
DALLAS — Darrell Armstrong, an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks, was arrested on Saturday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to multiple law enforcement sources who confirmed the information to WFAA.
The 56-year-old Armstrong allegedly became involved in an argument with a woman, during which he struck her with a gun and threatened to shoot her, according to the Dallas Police and sources familiar with the situation.
The arrest affidavit details that officers responded to a call at an apartment complex located at 1001 Ross Ave. in downtown Dallas around 2:15 a.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, they found the victim waiting with her father in a nearby parking lot.
The victim, who had been in a relationship with Armstrong for several months, told police she had found a text message from another woman on his phone, which triggered the argument. According to the affidavit, Armstrong had been drinking and became angry, demanding the keys to the apartment, which the victim gave him.
While on the phone with someone else, Armstrong allegedly picked up a gun, walked around a kitchen island, and hit the victim in the face with the weapon. He then loaded the gun and reportedly said, “I am going to shoot you.”
The victim left the apartment and walked to a nearby 7-Eleven to wait for her family to arrive. Officers later observed a mark on her right cheek.
The affidavit further revealed that a witness saw Armstrong drinking and yelling at the victim. When officers knocked on Armstrong’s apartment door, he was taken into custody without incident. The officers found the gun under the couch, where Armstrong had been sleeping. The gun had a loaded magazine, but there was no bullet in the chamber.
The document also mentioned that Armstrong and the victim had been in an “intimate/cohabitating relationship” since September 2024. Prior to this incident, there had been multiple instances of domestic violence, including an alleged strangulation, though the victim had not reported these incidents to avoid getting Armstrong into trouble or jeopardizing his job.
Armstrong was booked into jail shortly before 7:30 a.m. Saturday on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with a bond set at $35,000. He has since posted bond.
WFAA reached out to both Armstrong and the Dallas Mavericks for comment. Armstrong’s attorney, Larry Taylor, issued a statement saying they were conducting an independent investigation into the incident and that Armstrong had been a respected member of the Dallas community throughout his career.
The Dallas Mavericks also provided a statement, noting they were aware of the incident and were collecting all relevant information. The employee has been placed on administrative suspension pending legal proceedings. The organization emphasized they would allow the legal process to unfold before commenting further.
Armstrong is in his 10th season as an assistant coach with the Mavericks, having joined the team during the 2008-2009 NBA season. Before becoming a coach, Armstrong had a 14-season NBA career, playing for Orlando, New Orleans, Indiana, New Jersey, and Dallas. He won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award and Most Improved Player Award in 1999 and played in the 2006 NBA Finals with the Mavericks.
