MIAMI – A Miami man with a history of arrests involving violent crimes was arrested on Easter Sunday after police said he threatened a 65-year-old man with a gun.
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The incident occurred just after 11:30 a.m. in the area of Northwest Seventh Avenue and Northwest 53rd Street when the victim flagged down an officer with the Miami Police Department.
Authorities said the victim immediately pointed to Wesley Cleveland Williams, 37, identifying him as the individual who had made threats while holding a gun.
Police said the altercation began earlier that morning when the victim was confronted by Williams.
They said Williams accused the victim of littering, and an argument quickly escalated.
Investigators said the situation turned physical when Williams punched the victim in the head.
The victim attempted to walk away, but Williams reportedly returned to his home, only to come back moments later holding a handgun and saying, “I’ll shoot you; I’ll shoot you right now.”
The victim described watching Williams return to his residence near the 700 block of Northwest 53rd Street before being able to flag down a patrol officer. Once the officer arrived, authorities said the victim informed him of the situation.
Investigators said a records check revealed that Williams’ address was listed at the same location where he was believed to have gone after the incident.
Detectives said the victim provided a sworn audio-recorded statement, describing how Williams threatened him with the gun during their confrontation.
As the investigation continued, authorities said surveillance video was retrieved from a nearby business, Café Ruyi, located at 5300 NW Seventh Ave.
They said the video clearly showed Williams holding a silver gun alongside his body as he walked down the street, wearing a white tank top and dark shorts.
The footage corroborated the victim’s account of the events, confirming that Williams had been armed during the confrontation, according to police.
Later that afternoon, at approximately 3:46 p.m., detectives said they attempted to obtain a sworn audio-recorded statement from Williams.
After being read his Miranda rights, he agreed to speak to detectives. He told them that he initially got into an argument with the victim over the littering accusation.
Police said Williams told them observed a black object on the victim’s waistband, which caused him to fear for his safety.
They said this prompted Williams to walk back to his residence to retrieve a gun. He claimed he only threatened the victim after feeling threatened by the alleged black object on the victim’s waist, authorities said.
Williams’ criminal history reveals a troubling pattern of violence. Jail records show that he has a total of four felony convictions and was released from state prison in October 2011.
Records show he is facing one count each of aggravated assault with a firearm, battery on a person 65 years old or older, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and improper exhibition of a weapon or firearm.
As of Monday, Williams was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”
