Criminal Minds Writer Breaks Silence About Thomas Gibson Firing

Criminal Minds writer-producer Virgil Williams addressed the recent drama that happened behind the scenes surrounding the loss of lead actor Thomas Gibson, who played Special Agent Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner.

While participating in a student workshop in Los Angeles, Williams was asked about the physical and verbal altercation that occurred between him and Gibson that led to Gibson's firing, People reports. According to Williams, Gibson approached him about changing a line in the script: "He came to me with a line change that he wanted, I felt that change would have hurt the story, but I offered him [an alternative] fix. He didn't accept the fix and walked off."

Later, before appealing to the showrunner, Williams claimed Gibson kicked him in his shin as he walked by. Gibson however remembers things differently.

Thomas Gibson on Criminal Minds firing: "They're trying to erase me from the show"

"He came into that room and started coming towards me." Gibson said back in September. "As he brushed past me, my foot came up and tapped him on the leg. If I hadn't moved, he would have run into me. We had some choice words, for which I apologized the next day, and that was it. It was over. We shot the scene, I went home -- and I never got to go back."

Williams maintains that Gibson created a hostile work involvement, but apparently bears him no ill will personally.

"I pray for him." Williams said. "I hope that he's getting time with his family. I hope the best for the guy."

Criminal Minds airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.