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BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 38 PR. 16-22, 2021 BTR
Bronx D.A. refuses to
indict cops for Antonio
Williams death
BY JASON COHEN
The family of Antonio Williams
has waited a year and a half for justice
since the Mt. Eden resident was
gunned down by police as they tried
to apprehend him.
They have fought to obtain
unedited body camera footage of that
evening, but have been unsuccessful.
Then last week received news that
will haunt them forever.
On April 9,District Attorney Darcel
Clark announced that Sgt. Jason
Valentino, Det. Daniel Beddows, and
Offi cers Brian Mahon, Keith Figueroa
and Robert Wichers, will not be prosecuted
for the death of Williams.
Clark’s offi ce released a report on
the investigation, which found that
Detective Mulkeen killed Williams
and in the moments that followed, at
least one of his colleagues shot and
killed him. Additionally, it discovered
that Williams was in possession
of a loaded fi rearm during a lawful
stop and it did not fi nd criminal
conduct in the use of deadly physical
force by the offi cers involved.
“This was a singular tragedy that
unfolded in seconds and left two men
dead and two families with a lifetime
of sorrow,” Clark said. “It stemmed
from the proliferation of guns and
gun violence. Detective Mulkeen was
dedicated to getting fi rearms off the
streets of the Bronx.
I send my condolences to the loved
ones and friends of the two deceased
young men, whom deserved a thorough,
transparent investigation into
facts leading up to their deaths.”
Clark noted that this incident
presents serious concerns about the
NYPD’s use of force, defensive tactics
and tactical trainings in their interactions
with the public and incidents
of “friendly fi re.”
Needless to say the Williams’ family
was furious and could not believe
the cops would not be would be held
responsible. His parents, Shawn and
Gladys Williams, expressed disgust
with the city, the NYPD and Clark’s
offi ce.
“Since 2019, we have been trying
to get answers and action from
the Mayor, from the NYPD, and District
Attorney Clark about why the
offi cers who killed Antonio haven’t
been fi red or charged,” they said. “After
more than half a year of delaying
today’s meeting, District Attorney
Clark tells us that there will be no indictments
for the offi cers who killed
my son, it’s insulting and wrong.
“It’s unacceptable and disgraceful
that District Attorney Clark didn’t
indict these offi cers today. Antonio’s
babies are now growing up without
their father, his siblings don’t have
their brother and our son was stolen
from us. Despite this terrible and unjust
decision from District Attorney
Clark, this is not the end —we will
continue to fi ght for justice for our
son.”
On Sept. 29, 2019, Williams was
standing on the street, waiting for a
taxi, when plainclothes offi cers in an
unmarked car jumped out of their
car at him in the middle of the night.
Cops chased, tackled and beat Williams.
They opened fi re, killing both
Williams and an Offi cer Brian Mulkeen,
in a reckless hail of 15 bullets –
some shot from over 50 feet away.
The family is demanding that
Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD fi re
all offi cers responsible for the killing
of Williams.
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