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Gun-Law Twist: Off-Duty Cop’s Killer May Dodge Prison Sentence

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The legal saga surrounding a domestic tragedy that resulted in the death of an off-duty police sergeant in Michigan might conclude without the alleged perpetrator spending any time behind bars. The case hinges on an incident of apparent domestic violence in mid-2019 that culminated in the fatal shooting of Elaine Williams, a mother of two and a 14-year member of the Detroit Police Department (DPD).

Williams’ live-in boyfriend, Eddie Ray-Jr. Johnson, was the one who allegedly pulled the trigger. The couple had spent the evening socializing with neighbors before an argument broke out upon their return home. As the situation escalated, the confrontation turned fatal, leaving Williams dead from multiple gunshot wounds and Johnson injured from one.

The tragic events unfolded just before midnight when the police received reports of a shooting at the couple’s home. Upon arrival, they found Williams already dead and Johnson, also shot, in a critical condition. Both had blood-alcohol levels significantly above Michigan’s legal limit for driving.

After the investigation, the police revealed that eight .40 caliber shell casings found at the scene all originated from Williams’ service weapon, a Smith and Wesson pistol issued by her department. Johnson was arrested immediately and, after surgery for his gunshot wound, claimed that he had shot Williams in self-defense after she shot him.

“In this case, where both parties were shot with the same gun, the order of events is open to multiple interpretations,” said Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy. “Considering our burden of proof, we believe this is an appropriate resolution.”

Johnson, now 40, was initially charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm but was offered a plea deal by prosecutors that included no jail time, only probation for three years. If he violates the terms of his probation, he could face up to 15 years in prison. Johnson, who arrived in court in a wheelchair wearing an arm brace, pleaded no contest to manslaughter.

“The heart of the Detroit Police Department still breaks at the tragic death of Sergeant Elaine Williams,” said Detroit Police Chief James White. “This plea deal is not the outcome that the DPD wanted for Sgt. Williams’ loved ones, but we understand the unique circumstances of this case and therefore accept the Prosecutor’s decision.”

However, not everyone is happy with the outcome. Retired Detroit Police Assistant Chief Steve Dolunt expressed his concern about Johnson potentially avoiding jail time.

“I know a lot of cops aren’t going to be happy about this,” Dolunt stated. “I don’t have all the facts, but probation seems awfully lenient. It seems they could’ve tried to charge him with involuntary manslaughter, at least.”

The fate of Johnson now rests in the hands of a judge who will have to approve the plea deal. Johnson’s sentencing hearing is set for June 14 with Wayne County Circuit Judge Charise Anderson. Johnson’s attorney, Raymond Burkett, has not yet commented on the case.


Do you agree with the plea agreement in the case of the off-duty Detroit cop killed with her service weapon?

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Thomas Robel

    May 16, 2024 at 12:44 pm

    When are we going to learn, if you keep giving lite or no penalties, crime of all kinds is going to run ramped. We have become a society of pussies, sorry i mean forgivers, no that is not right ether. I just get so mad with all this. We need to bring back stiffer penalties, even the death scents, not for this but for the cold blooded murders happening every day. THE PENALTIES MUST FIT THE CRIME!!! Or crime will keep happening.

  2. Gerald Hallman

    May 16, 2024 at 4:05 pm

    I am a firm believer in innocence until proven guilty and that guilt should be established in court, not in public opinion. Sometimes the actual truth will not be known and the guilt unproven. However the government should never have the ability to sentence someone based on popular opinion and undue influence of the media. The taking of another’s life should always be examined fully and all evidence provided to either justify or condemn the actions of all those involved.

  3. Rich

    May 19, 2024 at 12:28 pm

    The level of alcohol the couple drank the evening of the crime played a major part to this volatile situation. What was not established, at least in this article, is which one introduced the off duty officers gun into their argument and who shot who first.

    The first probable scenario is that the firearm was the woman’s, department issued handgun, so more than likely she had possession of her gun in her purse. The question is did she introduce her gun because her boyfriend was physically assaulting her and she shot him the one time, before her boyfriend wrestled her gun away from her grasp and fired the 8-shots fired at her.

    This article doesn’t state if there was any other witnesses, aside from her boyfriend, who lived to give his side of what happened. The Sergeant, who did not survive does not get to give her side of the story.
    Due to this fact, it’s obviously difficult to determine exactly what happened during the night of this senseless incident.

  4. john michael

    May 19, 2024 at 4:58 pm

    this is baloney. He apparently got the gun away from her and was, therefore no longer in danger of being shot by her. Accordingly, his claim of self-defense is ridiculous and he had no reason to shoot her multiple times. Nothing worse than a lazy prosecutor. Hopefully the judge will deny the deal.

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Preparedness

Dad’s Heroic Fight Saves Son from Mountain Lion Attack

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A California family experienced a terrifying ordeal during their Labor Day picnic when their 5-year-old son was attacked by a mountain lion. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Tapia Day Use Area of Malibu State Creek Park in Calabasas, as reported by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office.

The boy’s family and several other adults and children were enjoying their time when the mountain lion suddenly grabbed the child by the head and began to run.

“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” the boy’s aunt recounted.

“The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”

The dramatic rescue unfolded in front of about 40 onlookers, some of whom noted that the mountain lion appeared completely unafraid during the attack.

Male mountain lions can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure up to 8 feet in length, making the father’s actions even more heroic.

The boy was promptly airlifted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was released later that Sunday but had to return to the hospital on Monday due to complications involving his eyes.

Upon arrival at the scene, California State Park rangers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers found the mountain lion crouched in a tree near the picnic area.

The animal was deemed a threat to public safety and was euthanized by a ranger.

Wildlife officers collected evidence from the boy’s injuries, including DNA swabs from the bite marks, which were matched to the mountain lion.

“CDFW and State Park officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured,” the CDFW stated.


Should families be allowed to carry firearms for self-defense in state parks where wildlife attacks have occurred?

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Oakland Chao: Gunfire With No Police In Sight While Residents Fear For Safety

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Just a month ago, five individuals were injured during a chaotic street takeover in Oakland. These unruly events, commonly referred to as “sideshows,” involve drivers blocking intersections and performing dangerous stunts like peeling out and burning rubber, all while large crowds gather to watch and record the spectacle.

Early Saturday morning, Oakland experienced yet another street takeover. This one lasted an hour and included participants firing guns into the air, all of which was captured on video. Shocked residents complained about the absence of police, as reported by KTVU-TV.

“We know that we don’t have enough police officers. … We can’t afford it.”

A video report shows what appears to be cellphone footage of individuals discharging firearms during the sideshow. Residents expressed their fear that stray bullets might cause serious injuries or worse.

“I just heard gunshots, like gunshots coming from all directions, people trying to hide. They just fire up in the air, and you don’t know where it’s going to land,” a neighbor who requested anonymity told the station.

This resident was among several who mentioned that such sideshows near 98th Avenue and Empire Boulevard have become routine occurrences.

“Like a whole hour. No police. I didn’t hear no sirens at all. … Some people were on top of that house’s roof. There were fireworks included. There were blue lasers, green lasers,” another neighbor revealed to the station.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Police Chief Floyd Mitchell have made appearances at recent town halls, promising to take more action against these sideshows. Potential solutions discussed include using new technologies like drones and cameras, as well as enlisting the help of the California Highway Patrol.

“We know that we don’t have enough police officers,” the mayor said at one town hall, according to KTVU. “We can’t afford it, but that doesn’t mean that we use that as an excuse or reason not to be sure that people feel safe.”

Chief Mitchell noted that police are “working hard to try to curb this activity. We have a sideshow detail that goes out every Friday and Saturday,” the station reported.

Mitchell also mentioned that redesigned intersections could potentially help, but KTVU reported that residents near Saturday’s sideshow are still waiting for city leaders to fulfill their promises.

“I’ve been here my whole life, and it has changed, it has changed so much, and it’s frustrating because it seems like they don’t care,” a neighbor told the station.

KTVU said it reached out to both the police and the mayor’s office for comments on the residents’ concerns about local crime, but the station did not receive a response in time for its report.


What is your primary concern regarding the recent Oakland street takeover incident involving gunfire?

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Preparedness

Chicago Mom Defends Daughter from Intruder with Concealed-Carry Firearm

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A mother from Chicago, who holds a concealed-carry license, found herself in a harrowing situation over the weekend when she had to use her firearm to protect her daughter.

The incident occurred at the family’s South Shore apartment late Saturday night. The mother, who requested anonymity, shared her experience with WLS-TV.

“That motherly instincts kick in, so as soon as something happens, it’s like fight or flight,” she explained.

Her 18-year-old daughter had just finished bathing and returned to her bedroom shortly before 11 p.m. when she noticed a man attempting to climb through her window.

“So, I put the towel on, and I run out my room, and I ran right there. I’m like, ‘Yo, somebody’s trying to come through my window.’ So, my mom immediately acted on it,” the daughter recounted to the station.

The mother, a long-time concealed-carry license holder, had never fired her gun until that night.

“He was, like, hanging on her window. I just told him that ‘I have a gun. I’m going to shoot.’ And he just didn’t stop. I fired a warning shot. I didn’t even know that he got hit,” she told WLS.

The police later discovered the 36-year-old suspect on East 69th Street near Oglesby, with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to a hospital and was reported to be in fair condition. Charges against him were pending as of Sunday night.

Both the mother and daughter had some stern words for the intruder.

“Next time you think about coming through somebody’s window, you just remember how that bullet felt,” the daughter warned.

Her mother echoed this sentiment, advising, “Try not to be out here committing crimes, especially trying to come into somebody’s house, because you never know what’s on the other side of that window.”

In the aftermath of the incident, the police confiscated the mother’s firearm.

This event highlights the importance of preparedness and the potential consequences of criminal actions, especially when intruding into someone’s home.


Do you believe individuals with concealed-carry licenses should be permitted to use their firearms in defense of their home?

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