US man fires AR-15 rifle to celebrate new year, gets shot dead by police
- James Williams’ widow says the gunfire is an annual tradition in their Ohio neighbourhood, and many other residents were taking part
- She accused the officer of opening fire without warning; the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into the incident
A US man was firing a gun to celebrate the arrival of 2022 when a police officer opened fire without warning, killing him, the wife of the deceased says.
Marquetta Williams told The Repository newspaper of Canton that her 46-year-old husband, James, had used an AR-15 rifle that belonged to her to fire some celebratory shots early Saturday outside their Canton home.
She said the gunfire is an annual tradition in their neighbourhood, with many neighbours also firing shots.
James Williams came back in the house but soon decided to go back outside and shoot some more. His wife said he fired four shots into the air and turned to follow her inside, but then told her: “I’ve been shot”.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Canton Police Chief Jack Angelo said officers were investigating reports of gunfire when an officer who was outside his vehicle confronted someone who began shooting a firearm.