Suspect Charged with Felony Assault with a Weapon after Opening Fire on Officers

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Suspect Charged with Felony Assault with a Weapon after Opening Fire on Officers

Laurel, MT—36-year-old Charles Wayne Williams is charged in Yellowstone County with five counts of felony assault with a weapon and two counts of felony criminal endangerment after opening fire on law enforcement officers in the early morning hours of March 27th, 2017.

Montana Highway Patrol Troopers Darvin Mees and Trever Chase responded to a mutual aid request from the Laurel Police Department to assist with a call to a domestic disturbance at approximately 0230. The troopers along with an officer from the Laurel Police Department and a deputy from Stillwater County, approached the residence when Williams began firing a pistol at them. The officers took cover behind a passenger car and an enclosed utility trailer. During the incident, Trooper Chase was grazed by a bullet that cut the fabric of his boot but did not physically injure him. The officers eventually reached other points of cover further back and held those positions until additional help arrived. Following approximately an hour of negotiation with the suspect, he surrendered without further incident.

“We’re grateful that everyone went home to their families at the end of the day,” says Colonel Tom Butler, Chief of the Montana Highway Patrol. “This could have easily ended with a much different outcome; thankfully no one was hurt.”

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