Murder suspect killed after hours-long standoff identified by Fayetteville police
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fayetteville police officers shot and killed a murder suspect following a nearly four-hour standoff on Tuesday.
It all began when officers went to serve an arrest warrant for Shakoor Quayon Williams who was wanted in connection with the murder of Willie Russell that took place on May 12.
Officers arrived at Kings Cross Apartments on Ivanhoe Court at 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday.
When they got there, Williams had barricaded himself inside one of the apartment units. Officers said he had a weapon.
Fayetteville Police Department Chief Kemberle Braden said officers attempted to negotiate with Williams all morning and through noon.
You could see that they were telling put him down, put down his weapon or whatnot, and they started shooting.- Jimea Wendel, witness
However, shortly after 1 p.m., shots were fired inside the apartment.
Then, Williams came out of the apartment and Braden said "There was an exchange of gunfire."
Braden said the suspect fired at officers before three Fayetteville officers opened fire on him.
"The suspect exited the apartment exchanging gunfire with members of the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team," Braden said.
None of the officers were injured. The three officers who fired their weapons were placed on administrative leave, as is standard.
Residents were shaken by the incident.
"It was really scary being that my kids were out here, you don't know where bullets are going to go," said Karmen Spencer. "It's just a scary experience to witness."
Spencer saw the whole standoff play out, saying there were several rounds of gunfire both inside and outside the man's apartment.
"He tumbles to the ground, and then he threw his arm up. After about 30 seconds he threw his arm up, and they start shooting him again while he was on the ground," she said.
Williams was rushed to to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Kings Cross resident Jimea Wendel saw that exchange of gunshots, too. Both Wendel and Spencer said they heard several gunshots from inside the man's apartment first before he finally came outside - gun still in hand - and a shootout ensued.
"You could see that they were telling put him down, put down his weapon or whatnot, and they started shooting," Wendel said.
Video from Chopper 11 showed the aftermath of the shootout - a gun on the grass just steps from the apartment, with other personal effects strewn around. Wendel said the second round of shots while the man was injured on the ground was particularly painful to watch.
"So many people shot him the first time, and that I like, it was like they were aiming to kill this man, it what it seemed like," she said.
