Corporal Ray Hamilton
Officer: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Corporal Ray Hamilton
Date: 12/24/2022 Location: Ft. Walton Beach, FL FACTORS (1,2,4,5,14,15,17,18,19,21)
Perpetrator(s) Involved: Timothy Price-Williams
Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Price-Williams had a criminal summons for battery in a July 2022 incident, a prior domestic violence incident and a DUI arrest . / Yes, Price-Williams committed domestic battery the night before, prompting police to get a warrant for his arrest when it was reported in the morning.
Mental Illness: Price-Williams had a history of violence and threatened, “the situation would turn into another Waco”, reflecting sociopathic if not suicidal tendencies.
Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Price-Williams’ had a prior DUI arrest, alcohol related incident where he committed battery, and his domestic partner reported he “abused alcohol.” / None reported.
Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/43
What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At around 9 a.m. on December 24, 2022, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the residence of Timothy Price-Williams to arrest him for a domestic battery warrant based upon a 911 call from the woman living with him reporting he beat her and took away her cell phone the night before.
Actions taken by subject toward police: Price-Williams refused to comply with the deputies’ orders to exit his townhome, so the Special Response Team responded and set up a perimeter as they tried to negotiate his peaceful surrender. When after a few hours the deputies used tear gas to try and force him out, at approximately 12:40 p.m. Price-Williams opened fire at them from inside his home, fatally striking Corporal Hamilton on the perimeter.
Reactions by the police: Deputies rushed Corporal Hamilton to the hospital but tragically he died a few hours later. When Price-Williams exited his home in a threatening manner, a deputy shot him, striking him in the arm before being able to arrest him.
How murdered? Corporal Hamilton was fatally shot while serving a domestic violence warrant.
What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Corporal Hamilton was using cover and maintaining the perimeter. In order to maintain a visual on the suspect and the house, deputies need to expose part of their head to do so – tragically that was all it took for the suspect who was considered “proficient in the use of weapons, including assault-style rifles” to get an accurate shot off.
Would the officer have been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? The deputies were justified to use deadly force as soon as any of them observed Price-Williams holding a weapon and had a clear shot at him.
Outcome for the cop-killer: Price-Williams was shot during the stand-off and taken into custody where he faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder and domestic battery.
Miscellaneous: Had Price-Williams been held and prosecuted for his previous crimes, Corporal Hamilton could still be alive.
