In addition, Christmas said the officers hit by gunfire were shot by accident, but would not say how he knows that if Williams was not the shooter. He said Williams did not fire a gun that night.
Christmas told the
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Williams had bruises on his back, neck and face as well as a knot on the back of his head, allegedly from the butt of an officer's gun.
St. Louis County police called allegations of excessive force, "completely false." A department statement said Williams was examined by a nurse at the Justice Center, who found him "fit for confinement."
County police Sgt. Brian Schellman said Williams' arrest was not videotaped, but that his statement to police — admitting he fired the shots— was. Officer Shawn McGuire said he was unsure whether Williams resisted arrest.