Air Force veteran Carl Williams was accidentally shot in the stomach by a police officer after he had reported a carjacking. He has now been released from the hospital and is recovering from his injury at home in Indianapolis.
The incident, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning, began when an armed intruder forced Williams’ wife to hand over her car keys, then drove the car away from the family home. Moments after calling 911, Williams thought the intruder had returned, and emerged from his garage carrying his own firearm.
By this point, police officers had arrived outside the home. On sighting Williams, Officer Christopher Mills took aim and shot him. Mills has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated. The Indianapolis Star reports:
“Questions remain about how homeowner Carl Williams … approached officers as they arrived at the scene.”
The report goes on to add:
“It’s unclear if more rounds were fired. A second officer on the scene, an eight-year veteran, did not fire his weapon. In the 911 call, no vocal exchange could be heard between the homeowner and officer who fired his weapon …. It was still unclear whether the officer gave any verbal commands to the homeowner. Williams’ handgun was recovered from the home, but there was no indication that Williams raised his weapon, fired his weapon or brandished it in a threatening way.”
Police have meanwhile issued a description of the intruder, who remains at large.
Williams, who served in the Air Force for eight years and is now a postal service employee, has reacted to the shooting with remarkable forbearance. He and his family released a statement via his lawyer, thanking their well wishers. The family’s statement said:
“[They] would like to acknowledge the professionalism shown by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department during the investigation of this horrible event. They also ask that the entire community pray not only for them but also for the police officers involved.”
The Indianapolis Police, for their part, were suitably apologetic. Their spokesperson, Major Richard Riddle, said:
“Our homeowner, the individual who was trying his best to protect himself and his wife from any other harm, was shot mistakenly by our officers. This incident occurred within a few seconds, and those judgment calls are made within a few split seconds. She was victimized, and unfortunately now, her husband was victimized as well.”
While the goodwill from both sides is apparent, the incident does raise important questions about the correct procedure, and the rights and wrongs of such heated, hectic moments. Watch this report from RTV6.
Featured image: Screenshot via YouTube
