NKyTribune staff
A Covington Police officer was shot, but escaped serious injury Saturday morning, when his duty belt stopped a bullet.
Williams
According to the complaint filed by Kentucky State Police, Covington Police responded to a call of a shooting at 4516 Decoursey Avenue, at around 5:30 a.m.
In a rear bedroom, officers located a male subject, suffering from a gunshot wound to the ear.
While securing the residence, the report indicates Brad Anthony Williams, 41, of Elsmere, opened fire as an officer entered a rear bedroom. Williams reportedly fired several rounds at the officer with a semi-automatic rifle, one of which went through the officer’s Tazer and lodged in his duty belt.
The report states Williams appeared again in a bedroom doorway, wearing what was described as camouflaged body armor and a motorcycle helmet. Officers fired on Williams, striking him several times.
The injured Covington Police Officer, who has not been named, could have been seriously injured or killed, if not for the utility belt, because the bullet struck below his ballistic vest, according to the report.
He was treated at a local hospital and released, with non-life threatening injuries.
Criminal Complaint (click to enlarge)
The report states witnesses identified Williams as the man who shot the original victim in the ear, using the same rifle.
The Kenton Commonwealth Attorney’s office released the following statement regarding the incident and the charges Williams faces:
“An arrest warrant has been issued for Brad Anthony Williams, 41, of Covington, charging Attempted Murder (of a police officer), Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon, and Persistent Felony Offender 1st Degree for an incident at 5:30am on 2/24/18 at 4516 Decoursey in Latonia. Williams faces 20-50 years or life in prison if convicted on all charges. Williams remains in University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he is receiving treatment for injuries sustained when he exchanged gunfire with Covington Police. Upon release from custody, Williams will be extradited back to Kentucky. The investigations into both Williams and the officer involved shooting are being handled by Kentucky State Police as an independent, outside agency, per local police protocol.
An arrest warrant is only a charging document. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.”
According to the report, Williams has prior felony convictions for Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon, Assault Under Extreme Emotional Disturbance, Theft and Criminal Mischief. He was still being supervised by the Department of Corrections in March, 2013, meaning he is eligible for enhanced sentencing as a Persistent Felony Offender First Degree.
