San Marcos police officer cleared in April deadly shooting

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Newly released body camera video shows what led up to a San Marcos Police Officer shooting a 22-year-old man. 

Malachi Williams was killed in April.

This week, a Hays County Grand Jury declined to indict the officer who shot him in the back.

On April 11, at around 9:30 p.m., officers received a call about a man threatening two people with two 8-inch kitchen knives. The victims said they were at the Snax Max on E Hopkins Street and began walking home when a man started following them.

The victims were near their home when "the suspect then pulled out two knives and threatened both of them. They told police they feared for their lives."

Police said the victims were able to get inside their home and call 911.

When officers responded, they found Williams in a restroom at the back of the store.

A SMPD officer waited near the front door until Williams came out. That officer had talked to the victims of the earlier incident and was aware that Williams may have been armed with multiple knives. 

At that point, the officer asked Williams to step outside. During the encounter, Williams ignored the officer’s repeated commands to turn around and put his hands behind his back. 

After exiting the store, Williams continued ignoring the officer’s commands and ran. He was then pursued by multiple officers. The officer attempted to deploy his taser twice while running and both attempts missed. 

"The officer says that Mr. Williams arms himself as he reached the parking lot of Marco's Pizza. The officer saw that he pulled out both knives, and he put them in one hand, one hand, and he was running with the blades facing toward the pavement and still continuing to flee from the officer. At that point, the officer sees that the suspect is now armed, so the officer holsters his Taser, pulls out his duty firearm," San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said.

Williams cut through a parking lot and headed directly toward an H-E-B, which was open at the time. 

After they entered the parking lot of the grocery store, the officer shot Williams, striking him twice in the back. Williams died from his injuries.

"The knives were discarded after he was shot," Chief Standridge said.

The officers’ affidavit stated he was worried the suspect was going to harm a civilian. Chief Standridge said the use of force was warranted because Williams had the intent, capability, and opportunity to cause imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to others.

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"In this case, we believe the suspect had the intent, as evidenced by two counts of previous aggravated assault within the last hour. We believe he had the capability because we've clearly shown you that he was armed. He had ample opportunity to throw those knives away," Chief Standridge said. "There are plenty of people that he could have caused harm to."

The Texas Rangers conducted the investigation into the shooting with the assistance of the San Marcos Police Department.

"The Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office presented the results of the investigation to the Grand Jury," said Kelly Higgins. "After hearing the evidence, the Grand Jury determined that the conduct of the officers was justified under the law and voted not to indict. This matter is now closed."

"We are saddened by the loss of life, but the actions of Mr. Williams posed a threat to public safety. This officer was forced to make a difficult decision in order to protect the public," Higgins added.

Williams’ family does not agree with the grand jury's decision.

"We cannot continue to let our citizens be murdered and the person that murders them go free," Malachi Williams’ grandfather Wayne Miller said.

Miller said they will continue to fight for justice.

"I'm praying to God every day that he gives me strength in the direction to do the right thing, that the right thing happens," Miller said.

Officer Ventura is back on patrol with the San Marcos Police Department.