New York – Today, the family of Antonio Williams learned that the Civilian Complaint Review Board has decided not to substantiate disciplinary charges against Officers Robert Wichers, Keith Figueroa, Brian Mahon, and Sgt. Jase D. Valentino for unconstitutionally stopping, chasing, beating and shooting Antonio Williams and then failing to render aid on the night of September 29, 2019.
Shawn and Gladys Williams, father and stepmother of Antonio Williams issued the following statement:
For the past five years, our family has faced unimaginable suffering because of the NYPD’s murder of our son. This outrageous decision by the CCRB has amplified that pain to a degree we didn’t know was possible. It’s clear the CCRB didn’t look at the evidence or the law and just went with the NYPD’s narrative, even though it kept changing and the officers’ testimonies make no sense.
Today we learned that the statements of Officers Mahon and Wichers contradict video evidence. Mohan has a history of at least 47 misconduct allegations, including substantiated charges for lying, unjust stops, excessive force and more - and Officer Wichers has at least 29 misconduct allegations. It’s mind-boggling how the CCRB Board thought their statements were credible.
Valentino, Mahon and Figueroa were so reckless they shot at Antonio and three cops from 60 feet away in the dark and in the process, they killed one of their own - similar to what happened during the recent L train incident. Yet somehow the CCRB decided this is not excessive force.
Mahon, Beddows and Figueroa did everything in their power to try to save Officer Mulkeen, but left Antonio to bleed out in the street. Valentino didn’t even check Antonio’s pulse when he handcuffed our son. Calling for an ambulance is not enough. The NYPD patrol guide says cops are supposed to call an ambulance and then provide assistance. How is this not failing to render aid?
Our son should be alive! The Adams administration is corrupt from bottom to top. The NYPD discipline system is rigged to protect cops. The message the CCRB’s corrupt decision sends is clear: Cops can lie, break the law, and kill New Yorkers without consequences. Our family will continue to fight to eliminate this corruption and win real safety for our communities in Antonio’s name.
Loyda Colon (they/them) Executive Director of Justice Committee and member of Communities United for Police Reform issued the following statement:
“This Sunday will mark five years since NYPD officers unconstitutionally stopped, chased, beat and murdered Antonio Williams, a Black man waiting for a cab. The cops shot 15 bullets so recklessly that they also killed a cop. The CCRB’s decision to not substantiate charges against these officers is wrong and in line with Mayor Adams’ attempt to manipulate the discipline process through his dismissal of its former Interim Chair, Arva Rice.
The Williams family, Justice Committee and the family’s attorneys have serious concerns about the inconsistencies in the CCRB’s investigation and the Board decision, which values NYPD lies over video evidence and the law.
Reckless, violent shootings by the NYPD–like Antonio’s and like the recent shooting in Brownsville– will only increase until we remove discipline authority from the police commissioner and completely transform the police discipline system and NYC’s approach to public safety.”
David B. Rankin of Beldock Levine & Hoffman, LLP, attorney for the Williams Family:
“Waiting for a cab is not a crime. Talking to your friend is not a crime. These officers had no reason to stop Antonio Williams and it is a shame the CCRB didn't see this."
Background
On September 29, 2019, Antonio Williams was standing on the street, waiting for a taxi, when plainclothes officers jumped out of an unmarked car. NYPD officers chased, tackled, and beat Antonio. Shortly after, they recklessly opened fire, killing Williams and an NYPD officer, Brian Mulkeen, in a hail of 15 bullets – some shot from over 60 feet away. For almost two years, the NYPD provided no explanation for why officers chased Williams in the middle of the night and have never articulated the reasonable suspicion required to stop Antonio.
In November 2020, security footage supporting the family’s statements that the NYPD engaged in an unconstitutional stop and unnecessarily escalated the interaction was released. In September 2021 the Civilian Complaint Review Board told the Williams family they would investigate the officers responsible for stopping, brutalizing, and killing Antonio Williams.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, nearly five years after Antonio was killed, the CCRB informed the family that it chose not to substantiate charges against the officers who killed him.
CCRB Board’s decision is part of a long and dangerous pattern in which officers recklessly and unjustly kill and abuse New Yorkers, and the police discipline system shields them from facing consequences for their actions, which is made clear by a damning report released yesterday.
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About Communities United for Police Reform
Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and reduces reliance on policing. CPR runs coalitions of over 200 local, statewide and national organizations, bringing together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those most unfairly targeted by the NYPD.