Shooter in University Place road rage incident will not face criminal charges
A man who fatally shot an armed man during a road rage confrontation in University Place will not face criminal charges, the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office said Monday.
The 42-year-old Steilacoom man was not arrested after the Jan. 15 death of Darek Williams.
“After looking at this incident, it appears this person clearly acted in defense of self and others, and criminal charges are not appropriate,” said Adam Faber, spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office.
Investigators said Williams, 48, was recklessly driving a Chevy Silverado downhill on Chambers Creek Road and passed several vehicles before abruptly stopping in the middle of the two-lane road.
Williams got out of his truck holding a gun, sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer has said.
Two men in a Dodge Ram truck were behind the Silverado and forced to stop when Williams got out of his truck.
The passenger in the Dodge got out of the truck with his own gun.
After a verbal confrontation, Williams was shot.
An off-duty firefighter who was in another stopped vehicle attempted CPR on Williams, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives have not detailed what was said during the confrontation.
The shooter and his son-in-law remained on scene until deputies arrived and cooperated with the investigation.
Williams’ family said he was a father and served in the U.S. Army for 23 years.
It is unknown why he was driving recklessly or why he got out of his truck with a gun.
Williams’ behavior at the scene was “... not the Darek we know and love,” his family wrote in a statement to KIRO-TV. “He had a contagious smile; you couldn’t help but smile just from seeing his. That is the Darek we want everyone to know and remember.”
This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 2:25 PM.
