Family of Fatally Shot Security Guard Seeking Answers
A security guard died by police gunfire in Gary, Indiana. A confrontation occurred Friday, August 28 around 11:20 p.m. between law enforcement and the security guard, 67-year-old Kenneth Williams. Witness Kristin Lindsey stated she’d seen multiple police officers with their guns drawn, their attention on a suspect.
“Before you know it, I heard shots rang out. A lot of shots,” she said. “It had to be like a hundred or some shots rung out.”
This resulted in the death of Williams. No officers were injured.
Investigators later surveyed the scene and placed a least 100 evidence markers, according to initial reports from CBS News. The investigation found nine officers had fired their weapons, including six Gary police officers and three Sheriff’s officers from Lake County, Indiana. The nine officers have been placed on administrative leave due to protocol.
Now, the family of Williams is looking for answers.
According to Williams’ sons, Williams was working that night at the Metro Center in downtown Gary as an armed security guard. Indiana State Police say officers had been called to 4th and Broadway to respond to an armed security guard, Williams, “acting unusually and erratically,” as CBS News later reported.
“It feels like it’s overkill. You know, it feels like it’s too much,” Williams’ son, Kenneth Williams Jr., said.
“I think it would be a little soon to call it overkill,” comments former first deputy superintendent with the Chicago Police Department Anthony Riccio, warning against quick judgements until the investigation is complete.
When asked why nine officers were needed to fire against one individual, Riccio answered, “You want to make sure you have enough officers to protect the public.”
Williams Jr. describes his father as “police-friendly.”
Indiana State Police will continue to investigate the matter.
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