Suspect Shoots at Citizen and Police Officers

On Tuesday, December 27, 2010, shortly before 7:00 p.m., Pasadena Police officers were conducting a traffic stop in the area of Mentor Avenue and Mountain Street.  Unrelated to the traffic stop, an adult male approached the officers claiming someone was going to shoot him.  The officers quickly followed the victim a short distance to the nearby CVS parking lot.  At that time the suspect, Sherwin Williams, male-44 of Fontana, fired at least one round from a handgun towards the victim and the officers.  In fear for the safety of the victim, as well as their own, the two officers discharged their service weapons at Williams.  He then entered a vehicle but was not injured by gunfire.  Williams sped away from the parking lot and drove in the direction of the officers and victim, ultimately fleeing the scene.

Officers located William’s vehicle approximately ten minutes later in the 1000 block of Chester Avenue.  He was arrested without incident and the weapon was recovered nearby.  Detectives determined the incident was the result of an on-going conflict between the victim and Williams.  As a result of Williams’ shooting, one of the officers sustained a minor injury to his face.  Including the two officers there were three victims.   Williams was arrested for attempt murder and he is being held on a $4 million dollar bail.

”The quick apprehension of the suspect was due to several residences who called 9-1-1 when they witnessed suspicious activity. It was clear to me that the presence of the officers during the victim’s request for assistance averted a potential fatal outcome,” said Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez.