KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice, already facing criminal charges over an auto accident in Dallas in March, is now under investigation for allegedly hitting a photographer in a Dallas restaurant, according to a report by WFAA-TV.
The alleged incident reportedly occurred early Monday morning near Lit Kitchen & Lounge in downtown Dallas. The restaurant is also attached to the Feu Nightclub. Further details about the incident are not yet available. A Chiefs spokesperson says the club did not have a comment on the report at this time.
TMZ Sports reported that the Dallas Police Department did not confirm Rice’s involvement but acknowledged detectives were investigating a reported assault that occurred near the club at approximately 2:30 a.m. Monday.
“A victim reported being assaulted by a suspect,” according to the Dallas Police in a statement to TMZ. “The victim self-transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”
Last week during the NFL Draft, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said he was disappointed in Rice regarding the March multi-vehicle accident.
Occasionally guys make mistakes and get in trouble,” Hunt said on April 27. “Certainly I’m very disappointed in the situation with Rashee and how that has unfolded. It is an active legal case, so I can’t really comment on it further than that. He is still a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I think (head coach) Andy (Reid) mentioned that we will just evaluate that as we go forward.”
Rice faces eight charges stemming from the March 30 accident including six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault.
The six counts of collision with bodily injury carry a maximum sentence of not more than five years, a fine up to $5,000, or both. The count involving serious bodily injury carries a minimum of two years in prison if convicted but no more than 10 years. The aggravated assault charge for a conviction carries a sentence of between two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
The 23-year-old Rice turned himself the Glenn Heights Police Department near Dallas and released on a $40,000 bond.
