USC Tailback McFadden Arrested for Allegedly Brandishing Weapon

Dwight McFadden, a USC reserve tailback, was arrested near campus 10 days ago for allegedly brandishing a weapon--a BB gun, according to Coach Larry Smith--after a confrontation with unidentified homeless persons.

The City Attorney’s office has not had time to evaluate whether to file misdemeanor charges, and Smith said no disciplinary action probably will be taken.

McFadden, a redshirt freshman who is USC’s No. 2 rusher with 246 yards in 59 carries, refused an interview request Thursday.

Smith said McFadden and three others not named were returning from a birthday party early in the morning of Oct. 19 when they stopped at a fast-food restaurant near campus. He said two homeless persons asked McFadden’s group for money, but they refused.

Smith said McFadden told him that the men put an object in front of their car to stop them from driving away after they got their food. McFadden told Smith that one of the men put his head in the window and saw an unloaded BB gun in the back seat and ran away. The man flagged down authorities, who stopped McFadden’s group and searched the car.

Smith said McFadden told him he never picked up the weapon, although one of the homeless men alleged that McFadden pointed it at him.