A man suspected of robbing a Walmart with a knife was fatally shot by San Bernardino police Wednesday evening after officers said he refused to drop the weapon and tried to force his way into a woman’s car in the parking lot.
The incident began around 7:45 p.m. on Oct. 1, when officers already at the Walmart investigating a separate shoplifting report were alerted to an armed robbery happening inside the store. Police said the suspect, later identified as Richard Williams of Rialto, approached an employee from behind as the worker opened a locked merchandise case.
According to police, Williams held a large knife to the employee’s back and threatened to stab him if he didn’t move aside. The employee complied, and Williams took several items from the case. When a security guard tried to intervene, Williams allegedly threatened him with the knife as well before fleeing the store on foot.
Officers who were on scene confronted Williams outside the store. Authorities said he dropped the stolen merchandise but continued to hold the knife. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Williams ran through the parking lot toward a nearby vehicle occupied by a woman later identified as Clauwaneshanea Jeter of Ontario.
Police said Williams opened the car door while Jeter screamed. Officers then opened fire, striking Williams and preventing him from entering the vehicle, according to the department’s statement. Officers provided medical aid, and paramedics were called, but Williams was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives later learned that Jeter initially told police she did not know Williams and feared he might harm her. However, during a follow-up interview, police said she admitted that the two had come to Walmart together intending to steal. Jeter was arrested on suspicion of robbery and being an accessory to a crime.
Police said Williams had a lengthy criminal record and was on parole at the time of the shooting, with prior arrests for robbery, burglary, resisting arrest, felon in possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, assault with a deadly weapon, and parole violation.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Detective T. Montez at (909) 384-5762 or via email at [email protected], or Sergeant E. Campos at (909) 384-5613 or [email protected].
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