DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two weeks before he was suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was nearly arrested by Detroit police over a gun found in a vehicle.

Now, in response to questions from 7 News Detroit, the department is investigating why Williams was released from custody after officers planned to take him to jail.

Watch the story in the video player above or below

Detroit police are investigating why Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest after a gun was found in the car

The Star Wide Receiver came into contact with police after midnight on October 8 when police stopped a vehicle driven by Williams’ brother near the corner of Connor and Jefferson Avenue. According to the police, the car was stopped for speeding.

When questioned by an officer, Williams’ brother revealed that there were two guns in the car: the first was in the back seat and the second was under Williams’ seat, according to police.

Officers discovered the gun in the backseat was registered to Williams’ brother, who had a concealed pistol permit, or CPL.

Although the gun under Williams’ seat was registered in his name, he did not possess a CPL.

The officer concluded this was a problem and told Williams he would be taken into custody for carrying a concealed weapon.

Watch the interaction between the officer, Williams and Williams’ brother in the video below

Video shows Detroit police officer interacting with Lions WR Jameson Williams

Body camera footage shows the officer does not know who Williams is. But repeatedly the wide receiver reminded him.

“I play for the Lions, brother. I’m Jameson Williams,” he said at one point.

A few minutes later he said, “Bro, I play for the Detroit Lions.”

A few minutes later he said again, “Bro, I play for the Lions!”

The officer told Williams his position had no bearing on whether he would be arrested.

At some point during the stop, Williams’ brother told police the gun was his. But Williams would later admit the gun was his.

“I was given the gun for protection,” Williams said. ‘Do you know where I live? Detroit!”

See the video below of the officer holding Williams and speaking

Video shows a Detroit police officer holding Jameson Williams

Williams was handcuffed and placed in the back of the police car. In an interview Monday, Detroit Police Chief Michael McGinnis supported the officer’s actions.

“I feel like there was probable cause to arrest, and he was arrested by the police officer,” McGinnis said. “And therefore he should have been transferred to the Detroit Detention Center and treated there.”

But Williams was not taken to jail. Instead, a supervisor was called to the scene. The department says this is not unusual for a high-profile stop, and is a precaution to ensure policy is followed in cases that could lead to media attention.

Within a few minutes, a sergeant arrived on the scene.

Unlike the responding officers, the sergeant was a Lions fan and immediately recognized Williams’ name. Body camera footage also showed the background of the sergeant’s cell phone was the Lions logo.

Over the next 30 minutes, the sergeant would make a series of calls to higher-ups, attempting to determine whether Williams should be arrested or whether the driver’s CPL covered both his and Wiliams’ weapons.

At one point you see the sergeant lean toward one of the arresting officers and whisper, “I’m so mad at you two.”

Commander McGinnis, who reviewed the body camera footage, said he believed the sergeant referred to both arresting officers “in a jovial manner.”

After consulting with multiple supervisors, the sergeant makes two more calls and it appears Williams is about to be taken to jail.

‘Pay attention, he’s coming. You may want to make special accommodations,” the sergeant says in one phone call.

“He’s going to carry a concealed weapon,” he says in another.

But minutes later everything seemed to have changed. The sergeant spoke with a lieutenant who said Williams should be released from custody. The lieutenant’s side of the conversation cannot be heard.

“Okay. Great. Am I okay with letting him go?” the sergeant asks before hanging up. “You’re a (expletive) hero. Thank you so much.”

Williams was reportedly released from handcuffs, his gun was returned, no citations were made and no warrants were filed.

In response to questions from 7 News Detroit, Detroit police launched an internal affairs investigation into the traffic stop and decision not to arrest the Lions wide receiver.

“(Chief James White) was very unhappy about the totality of the circumstances here. He even went so far as to say he was angry,” Commander McGinnis said.

Late last week, DPD filed a warrant with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Williams is charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a motor vehicle.

“I want to know, did the fact that this person was a Detroit Lions player play a factor in the decision-making?” McGinnis asked.

7 News Detroit first raised questions about the traffic stop earlier this month. At the time, a deputy chief told investigator Ross Jones that only one gun was found in the car; he made no mention of a second gun under Williams’ seat.

When Chief James White learned about the second weapon, he agreed to share portions of the body camera video with 7 News Detroit to correct the record and ordered an internal affairs investigation.

Detroit police officials say the arresting officers behaved appropriately during the stop and stand behind their actions.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office says it is still reviewing the warrant.

Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, released a statement to 7 News Detroit saying: “On October 8, my clients were stopped for an alleged traffic violation. During the stop, my clients were both cooperative and respectful with the police officers. With the two handguns found in the vehicle, they were both properly registered and the driver in the vehicle had the proper paperwork to transport them. We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so.

The Detroit Lions released a statement to 7 News Detroit on Tuesday. It says:

“Jameson immediately brought to our attention that he was a passenger during a routine traffic stop on October 8. We have discussed the incident with him and have kept the association informed of what we know. We understand that he was released without incident or citation has been released. The time has come.” We understand the Detroit Police Department is re-investigating the case. Jameson has retained an attorney and we will have no further comment out of respect for the legal process.”

Contact 7 investigator Ross Jones at [email protected] or at (248) 827-9466.