The family of Malachi Williams, a 22-year-old killed by police in April, has unveiled distressing new footage of the incident.
The shooting occurred on April 11 in San Marcos, Texas, involving an officer from the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD), as detailed by Fox 7 Austin.
Concerns over police accountability have risen, particularly as instances of police misconduct and excessive force spark protests nationwide. Public trust has notably waned, especially among Black and Hispanic communities compared to their white counterparts.
Four months post-incident, a Hays County Grand Jury ruled that Officer Alcides “Alex” Ventura acted justified in his actions.
Despite this, the Williams family is pursuing justice through their group, Justice for Malachi, aiming to challenge the official narrative by releasing previously unseen footage of the shooting.
Initial Account & Bodycam Footage
Initial bodycam footage aired in August depicted Williams fleeing from police, during which Officer Ventura attempted to use a taser before resorting to his firearm.
As reported by Hays County, Ventura was attempting to detain Williams, who was suspected of threatening individuals with knives earlier that night.
In the footage, Williams appears non-compliant with police commands before running toward a grocery store, seemingly armed with two knives, though this remains unclear.
Ventura tried to use his taser multiple times before the fatal shooting, with Hays County Attorney General Kelly Higgins stating, “This officer was forced to make a difficult decision in order to protect the public.”
New Footage & Family Claims
The newly released footage, shown on Fox 7, includes witness videos recorded outside the Snax Max convenience store where Williams was first confronted.
The family asserts these videos contradict the initial bodycam narrative, particularly showing Ventura drawing his firearm while engaging Williams, which may have prompted Williams to flee.
Williams’ grandfather, Wayne Miller, shared his perspective, suggesting the police only moved Williams outside to intimidate him.
Additionally, the family released footage post-shooting that appears to show officers near Williams, with claims of inadequate medical assistance provided.
Miller expressed distress, stating, “There was basically no rendering of medical aid. There was no compassion. No empathy.”
This testimony clashes with official reports claiming efforts were made to save Williams’s life.
Recent high-profile police shooting cases in Texas have put a spotlight on issues of accountability, with one officer recently found guilty in a separate shooting incident deemed preventable.
Uncertain is whether this new footage will reopen the investigation into Williams’s case, which was closed following the Grand Jury’s report.
