St. Clair Square shooting suspect found in Wisconsin
A man wanted in connection with a shooting at St. Clair Square mall in August has been found in Wisconsin and now faces charges.
The suspect was arrested Friday, Oct. 2, by the United States Marshals Service in Milwaukee./
The suspect was identified by Fairview Heights Police detectives with assistance from Belleville Police detectives.
The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Maximillion T. Williams, 23, of Milwaukee, with aggravated discharge of a firearm (Class 1 felony); and felon in possession of a firearm (Class 2 felony). His bond was set at $500,000.
The charges stem from a shooting incident on Tuesday, Aug.18, around 3:10 p.m., when officers responded to the St. Clair Square Mall food court for a disturbance between two males.
When officers arrived, they learned one of the men had a handgun and had fired gunshots just outside the food court entrance, causing an exterior window to shatter. Both men ran from the area when officers arrived. Preliminary information revealed that the two males were acquainted with each other and had been arguing before the shots were fired.
A preliminary search was conducted; one of the male participants in the disturbance and a witness were located outside the main mall entrance. The male was taken into custody and taken to the Fairview Heights Police Department. No firearm was located.
The mall was then locked down for a thorough search to locate the suspect who fired the gun. He was then believed to have fled before the officer’s arrived. The mall reopened at 4:30 p.m. the same day, and no injuries were reported.
A police report said detectives learned that Williams had been in the Metro East visiting family members at the time of the shooting. After the arrest warrant was issued against him, the Fairview Heights Police Department partnered with U.S. Marshals to assist in apprehending Williams, as it was learned he had fled back to Wisconsin after the shooting.
The FHPD publicly thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and the Belleville Police Department for their assistance.
