In a Southeast Raleigh parking lot, one year after the fatal encounter, Jamel Meredith and a group of about 25 people gathered to demand justice for Darryl Tyree Williams. Williams died on January 17, 2023, after being tased four times by Raleigh police officers. Despite the Wake County District Attorney’s report stating that the officers would not be charged, the family and their supporters vowed to continue fighting for accountability. The vigil took place at the same location where the encounter occurred, as the family and civil rights organizations called for the Raleigh police to be held responsible.
The incident began when officers on a proactive patrol saw a car outside a sweepstakes parlor in Southeast Raleigh. After finding an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle, the officers asked Williams and another individual to step out. A search of the car led to the discovery of cocaine on Williams. When the officers attempted to arrest him, Williams resisted and attempted to flee. Despite his pleas for them to stop, the officers used a Taser on him multiple times. Williams ultimately went motionless and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The Wake County District Attorney’s report concluded that Williams’ cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest, resulting from being tased, cocaine use, physical exertion, and physical restraint. The report stated that the officers did not hear Williams’ requests for them to stop. Although the district attorney determined that no criminal charges would be filed, she emphasized the importance of reviewing and potentially revising police practices and their interactions with the community.
Williams’ family and their attorneys, including renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, have held several press conferences demanding that the officers involved be fired and face criminal charges. With no charges or disciplinary actions taken against the officers, the family is now preparing to file a civil lawsuit in the coming days or weeks. They hope that this legal action will finally bring about the justice they seek.
The vigil not only served as a commemoration of Darryl Williams’ life but also as a call to action for the community. Speakers, including Kerwin Pittman from the civil rights organization Emancipate N.C., urged attendees to fight for justice not only for Williams but also for others who may face similar encounters in the future. Emancipate N.C.’s Executive Director, Dawn Blagrove, described Southeast Raleigh as an open-air prison where Black individuals are mistreated and killed by the police within their community. She called for reforms, including sending unarmed teams to respond to certain types of calls for service and greater community involvement in local elections.
Sonya Williams, Darryl Williams’ mother, expressed her disappointment that no one has been held accountable for her son’s death. She believes that the impending civil lawsuit will serve as another opportunity for justice. While the family continues their fight for justice, they hope that their efforts will lead to significant changes in how law enforcement operates in the Raleigh community.
