Case #15CF2621
Date: July 20, 2016
MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER BY REPEATEDLY SHOOTING AT ON-DUTY OPD OFFICER RESPONDING TO CALL AT MAN’S HOME
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for attempted murder after repeatedly shooting at an on-duty Orange Police Department (OPD) officer, who was responding to a call at the defendant’s residence. Taylor Evan Williams, 25, Orange, is charged with one felony count of attempted murder of a peace officer, one felony count of assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a peace officer, one felony count of assault with a firearm on a peace officer, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm and personal use of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 27 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin tomorrow, July 21, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-42, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2015, two OPD officers were dispatched to the defendant’s home for a reported family disturbance.
Williams is accused of retreating to his room and shutting the door when OPD officers entered the home with permission from a family member. When an OPD officer ordered Williams to open the door, the defendant is accused of opening the door and pointing a semi-automatic firearm at the officer. The defendant is accused of firing a shot through the door at chest level, then pausing and firing two more shots as the officer backed away from the door. None of the rounds struck the officer.
Williams was arrested and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of a self-inflicted superficial head wound. The OPD officers’ firearms were not discharged during the incident.
At the time of his arrest, the defendant is accused of possessing three firearms, ammunition, and two bulletproof vests.
OPD investigated this case.
Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.