Waynesburg man headed to trial in theater shooting
Observer-Reporter
Chris Ward, leader of Washington County United and uncle of the theater shooting victim, speaks to a group outside the courthouse prior to a hearing in June 2019.
Jon Andreassi/Observer-Reporter
Trey Willis, who is involved with Washington County United, speaks to a group gathered in front of the Washington County Courthouse prior to Thursday’s hearing.
All charges against a Waynesburg man accused of shooting a teenager at Hollywood Theater in North Franklin Township in March were held for court Thursday.
Chris Allan Williams, 53, of 490 Bonar Ave., appeared before District Judge Robert Redlinger at Washington County Courthouse for his preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and harassment.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred about 12:25 a.m. March 24 at the theater in Washington Crown Center.
Williams, who is an SCI-Greene corrections officer, is accused of approaching a group of teenage males during a screening of the film, “Us,” for being disruptive. He then allegedly threw a punch at one of them.
Police said an altercation broke out, and Williams followed the teens toward the theater exit and brandished a firearm. After a struggle over the gun, Williams and a 17-year-old fell over and the gun went off, hitting the youth in the right lower leg.
First Assistant District Attorney Dennis Paluso called a witness who was in the theater and the investigating officer to testify.
Kenneth Clark Jr., a 23-year-old graduate of Washington & Jefferson College who works at the school, testified he and a group of friends had gone to the same screening.
Clark said during the beginning of the movie, the group of teenagers was talking and that it was “kind of annoying.” Toward the end of the movie, Clark said Williams told the teens to shut up. When one of them responded, Williams rose from his seat and confronted the group.
Clark testified Williams threw a punch at one of the teens, and that a physical altercation followed. Williams eventually fell to the ground, and the teens gathered their belongings and headed for the exit.
According to Clark, Williams got to his feet and allegedly said, “I’m not done with those (expletive) yet. Where do they think they’re going?”
Williams followed the group out of the theater, and Clark heard what he thought sounded like a gunshot, but did not see what took place.
State police Trooper Raymond Harding testified about an interview he had with another witness who took a video of the incident. The woman told Harding in an interview the teens were just laughing at funny moments in the movie when Williams confronted them. Though the video taken inside the theater is dark, Williams can be heard cursing at them.
The video then moves outside, where the woman alerts an employee a fight is taking place inside the theater. When the woman moves back to the theater, the video shows a group of teenagers standing outside the theater.
Constable Thomas Duncan is seen running toward the theater, and as he walks to the door, a gunshot can be heard.
Paluso also presented video of an interview Harding conducted with Williams. Harding testified Williams waived his right to an attorney during that interview. In the interview, Williams insists he was defending himself, and that the teens beat him after he approached them.
Williams told Harding he was dizzy, and his thought was to tell a security guard about the incident. Williams said he saw the teens at the door and believed they were waiting for him. When one approached him, he pulled out his weapon.
“I don’t pull unless I’m going to use it,” Williams is heard saying in the video.
Williams told Harding a struggle over the gun ensued, and it went off.
Harding also testified about his interview with Duncan, who said he witnessed the moments right before the gun went off.
Duncan told Harding he opened the door into the theater and saw Williams and the victim struggling, but could not see a gun. The two fell over and Duncan heard the gun go off.
“I think the evidence is going to show that Mr. Williams was acting in self-defense and that he’ll be cleared of these charges,” said Jack Puskar, Williams’ attorney, following the hearing.
Before the hearing could begin, the proceeding was moved to a larger courtroom to accommodate the number of people in attendance.
Many of those who attended took part in a demonstration on the courthouse steps beforehand to protest what they viewed as insufficient charges for Williams, who is white.
Chris Ward, the leader of nonprofit advocacy group Washington County United and uncle of the victim, who is black, said Williams should have been charged with attempted homicide.
“We’re here because we demand justice,” Ward said, contending if the shooter were a black man, he would have been facing more serious charges.
Ward also criticized Redlinger’s decision on bail for Williams, who was released on $100,000 unsecured bond. Ward argued given the charges, his bond should be revoked.
The crowd headed into the courthouse together, with chants of, “No justice, no peace.”
Williams’ case will now head to trial. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. July 25.