**New Details Emerge in Ashlyn Watkins Arrest Incident**

New information has surfaced regarding the arrest of Ashlyn Watkins, a University of South Carolina (USC) women’s basketball player, according to a campus police incident report.

Watkins was detained by campus police on Saturday, August 31, following an incident at an affiliated apartment complex located at 650 Lincoln Street. She faces charges of assault and kidnapping, but she has declared her innocence through her lawyer and state representative Todd Rutherford.

The police report reveals that officers responded to screams for help and found Watkins and the unidentified victim on the third floor of the parking garage. Watkins was reportedly holding the victim back and allegedly stated that the victim was attempting to jump.

The victim, described as a juvenile in the report, told officers she was trying to escape from Watkins after a dispute. The report suggests that Watkins believed the victim was being unfaithful after assisting a sick friend on the second floor. Watkins referred to the victim as “her girlfriend” in the report.

Watkins reportedly admitted to grabbing the victim and taking her outside after discovering her with a friend. The two then went to Watkins’ room to let out her dog. The report states that the victim subsequently ran through the parking garage, climbed onto a ledge, and Watkins wrapped her arms around her, fearing she might jump.

Initially, the victim claimed Watkins had struck her, but later retracted this statement, saying Watkins had not hit her and that she did not need the officer’s help. The victim also denied attempting to jump off the ledge.

According to the report, the victim became uncooperative, tried to communicate with Watkins, and was not permitted to use her phone to call her mother. EMS assessed the victim and determined she was not suicidal, opting not to transport her.

When officers were unable to contact the victim’s parents, a Lexington County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to their home. Deputies eventually reached her mother, who agreed to meet officers at the police department, where the victim was released.

Watkins was later taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and was granted a $30,000 personal recognizance bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Friday, October 25.

“We ask for patience as we understand the events from two nights ago,” said Rutherford. “We firmly believe that once all facts are revealed, this will be seen as a misunderstanding, and she continues to maintain her innocence throughout this process.”

Watkins, a junior at USC, played a crucial role in the Gamecocks’ undefeated championship season. A native of Columbia and former Cardinal Newman student, she was named South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022 before joining the Gamecocks.