Texas parolee charged after shooting at Grand Prairie police officers during domestic violence investigation
Grand Prairie, Texas – Federal authorities have charged a previously convicted felon after investigators say he opened fire on Grand Prairie police officers during a domestic violence investigation that quickly escalated into a dangerous pursuit and armed confrontation.
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced the federal unlawful possession of a firearm charge against Malik Williams following the May 2 incident involving officers from the Grand Prairie Police Department.
“The Chief in Grand Prairie has been a great friend to this office and to our collective efforts in rooting out violent crime in North Texas. I told him when I met with him months ago that we would stand up for the men and women under his charge. Today I’m keeping my promise. We will always go after those who try to intimidate and harm our great law enforcement officers in North Texas,” Raybould said.
According to the criminal complaint, officers were originally dispatched to investigate a domestic disturbance after a child contacted authorities and reported that an argument between their mother and her boyfriend had become physical.
When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered Williams sitting inside a silver Nissan Altima. Authorities said officers also observed the woman involved wearing a blood-stained shirt, raising immediate concern about possible violence inside the home.
Police informed Williams that he was not free to leave, but investigators say he suddenly sped away from the scene in the Altima, prompting officers to begin a pursuit with lights and sirens activated.
Officer Shot At During Police Pursuit
The pursuit eventually came to a stop after a Grand Prairie officer used a Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as a PIT maneuver, to disable Williams’ vehicle and block the driver’s side door in an attempt to prevent him from escaping.
As one of the officers exited the patrol vehicle, authorities allege Williams fired at the officer using an AR-15 rifle. A second officer immediately returned fire during the confrontation.
Investigators said Williams later surrendered after being struck and injured during the exchange of gunfire. He was transported to a hospital for treatment following the incident.
Authorities later discovered Williams was on parole at the time of the shooting and had six prior felony convictions. According to investigators, five of those prior convictions involved domestic violence offenses connected to the same victim involved in the latest case.
The federal firearm charge now places Williams at the center of a major joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Grand Prairie Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Walt Junker is prosecuting the case.
The case has drawn significant attention because of the violent confrontation with officers and the suspect’s criminal history involving repeated domestic violence allegations. Federal prosecutors signaled that attacks against law enforcement officers will continue to be aggressively pursued throughout North Texas.
