SAN MARCOS, Texas — A Hays County grand jury has cleared a San Marcos police officer involved in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Malachi Williams in April.
The shooting happened on April 11 in the parking lot of the H-E-B grocery story at 641 E. Hopkins St. in San Marcos.
The grand jury reviewed evidence and ruled the officer’s actions were justified under Texas law, Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins said. No indictment was issued in the case.
According to Higgins, as part of its review, the grand jury also looked at evidence from a separate incident that happened around an hour before the shooting. In that incident, Williams had been waiting outside a Snax Max convenience store on Hopkins Street and allegedly followed two men who had left the store. The men reported Williams “made them uncomfortable.”
After a couple of blocks, the men confronted Williams and he allegedly pulled out two large knives and threatened them. The men reported the alleged incident to San Marcos police.
Officers arriving on the scene spoke to the two men before searching the area for Williams. At around 10:35 p.m., Williams returned to the Snax Max store and went into a restroom at the back of the store. An officer showed up shortly after and waited for Williams to come out.
According to Higgins, the officer asked Williams to step outside. During the encounter, Williams reportedly ignored the officer’s commands to turn around and put his hands behind his back. He then turned and ran from the store, Higgins said.
Williams was pursued by multiple officers. The officer used his Taser twice while running and both attempts missed.
After running to the northwest along Hopkins Street, Williams cut through a parking lot and headed directly toward the H-E-B, which was open at the time. After they entered the parking lot of the grocery store, the officer shot Williams, striking him twice. Despite attempts at life-saving measures, he did not survive.
The officer involved in the shooting has not been named.
The Texas Rangers conducted the investigation into the shooting with the assistance of the San Marcos Police Department.
“The Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office presented the results of the investigation to the Grand Jury,” Higgins said. “After hearing the evidence, the grand jury determined that the conduct of the officers was justified under the law and voted not to indict. This matter is now closed.”
He added, “We are saddened by the loss of life, but the actions of Mr. Williams posed a threat to public safety. This officer was forced to make a difficult decision in order to protect the public.”
Family and friends believe Williams’ death could have been prevented.
Williams suffered from mental health issues and was unhoused at the time of his death – a well-known fact by those who spoke at his vigil in April. However, they said Williams was kind and harmless.
San Marcos Police Department Chief Stan Standridge has said the department plans to release body camera footage of the shooting after the grand jury decision.
Community members, aware of Standridge’s statement, said the footage should have been released for the family’s sake. They raised questions about why de-escalation tactics were not used in the shooting citing Williams’ mental health.