CBS AUSTIN SOURCE AUSTIN, Texas — Newly released surveillance video from the Austin Police Department shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Anthoneil Williams II last Friday, as investigators now say the object officers believed was a gun was actually a water bottle and that the 911 call came from the teen’s own phone.

Police said they believe the video shows Williams reaching for his waistband and pointing his hands at officers. Investigators have also said the incident may have been “suicide by police,” while some city leaders have called for transparency.

The video shows Williams walking into a park around 4 a.m. and sitting on a low wall for several minutes. When officers arrive, Williams walks toward the playground, according to police.

APD said officers asked Williams if he was OK and repeatedly told him to show his hands. In slowed-down video, police said Williams appears to lift his shirt, reach toward his waistband, then extend both hands in front of him as if he was pointing a weapon at officers. That is when three officers opened fire.

Nelson Linder, president of the Austin NAACP, said the video does not change his view of the outcome.

“I’m sorry, I can’t accept that based on the value of a young man’s life. We need a higher standard; more caution before you make that kind of decision based on deadly force,” Linder said.

Several Austin City Council members issued statements over the weekend expressing grief over Williams’ death and pressing for a full accounting of what happened.

The Austin Justice Coalition is holding an event at City Hall tomorrow calling for justice for Williams.

KXAN.COM (SOURCE)

Family identifies 17-year-old killed in APD shooting as community pressure grows for accountability

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The family of the 17-year-old shot and killed by Austin police Friday has identified him as Anthoneil Williams II.



KXAN spoke with two of Williams’ family members Monday. While they said they are not ready to make a public statement, they confirmed the teenager’s identity and said the family is grieving. A GoFundMe has been created to help cover funeral expenses.

As the family mourns, community members and advocacy groups are calling for accountability in the shooting, while police leaders and the Austin Police Association urge the public not to rush to judgment.

Vigil honors teen’s life

KXAN visited the neighborhood park off Baden Lane where a vigil was held Saturday night for Williams.

Flowers, candles and handwritten messages remain at the site. Williams’ name was written on the concrete, and several bottles of water were left behind, a reference to the water bottle Austin police said they recovered after the shooting.

According to Austin police, three officers opened fire Friday after Williams reached for his waistband during an encounter. Williams died at the scene.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis later described the incident as a “suicide by police,” saying investigators determined Williams was the person who called 911 to bring officers to his location.

Community members call for charges

One of the organizers behind Saturday’s vigil said the gathering was intended to both honor Williams’ life and bring attention to what supporters say they believe should be a criminal investigation into the officers involved.

“We’re calling for justice for Anthoneil,” said Vladimir Herrera with Dare to Struggle ATX. “We’re calling for the DA to prosecute and charge these officers for their crimes and not just allow them to go on administrative leave.”

Herrera said organizers connected with Williams’ family during the vigil.

“During our vigil on Saturday we were able to get connected with the family,” Herrera said. “They were very much grateful that people had eyes on it, that people are outraged.”

Herrera said family members he met described deep grief in the days following the shooting.

“They are grief-stricken, he said. They hope to see justice for him.”

Police association urges patience

As activists continue pushing for criminal charges, the Austin Police Association says people should wait for investigations to run their course.

“They are not the ones out there on the scene,” Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock said of critics. “They are making assumptions and they are being extremely judgmental toward officers.”

Bullock called Williams’ death tragic but said he does not believe officers are to blame.

“What happened to this young man is tragic because it shouldn’t happen, but that is not the fault of the Austin Police Department, that is not the fault of officers,” Bullock said. “That is a broken mental health system, where someone feels like the out they have is at the hands of police.”

What’s next

According to APD records, two of the officers involved completed three hours of use-of-force training as part of their continuing education in May.

Meanwhile, organizers of Saturday’s vigil plan to hold a protest Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., at Woodridge Square on Guadalupe. They say the demonstration is intended to show support for Williams’ family and continue calls for charges against the officers involved.