Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Judicial Operations Bureau
- Violent Offender Warrant Unit (VOWU)
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery/ Homicide Unit
- Narcotics Division

Xavier C. Williams (Uninjured)
DOB: 8/16/1990
Address: 1640 Alcazar Way S., St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Criminal Mischief, and warrant arrests for failure to appear on Kidnapping, Robbery, Possession of Alprazolam charges.

Earl Alston (Uninjured)
DOB: 2/10/1951
Address: 1640 Alcazar Way S., St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of Accessory After the Fact

Detective Norman ”Chris” Cramer (Uninjured)
Age: 51
Date of Hire: 9/1/1991

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/ Homicide Unit are investigating a deputy involved shooting after a wanted man pointed a handgun at a detective in St. Petersburg. 

When:
The incident occurred at about 12:40 p.m. on August 24, 2016.

Where:
The incident occurred at a residence located at 1640 Alcazar Way S. in St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
According to detectives, members of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Warrant Unit received credible information that 26-year-old Xavier Williams, was hiding inside a residence located at 1640 Alcazar Way S. in St. Petersburg. Williams had several active felony warrants that included armed robbery, kidnapping, and possession of Alprazolam. Williams had additional outstanding criminal charges that included domestic battery by strangulation and criminal mischief.

When detectives arrived at the residence they made contact with Williams’ father, 65-year-old Earl Alston. Alston confirmed that Williams was inside the residence.

Detectives announced their presence and directed Williams to exit the residence. Detective Chris Cramer observed Williams in the back of the residence “low crawling” on the floor of the screened in porch, trying to conceal himself from detectives. 

Detective Cramer challenged Williams giving him verbal commands to show his hands. Williams disregarded Detective Cramer’s commands and stood up reaching into his waistband. Williams pulled out a 9mm handgun and pointed it at Detective Cramer. Detective Cramer feared for his life and fired his handgun once at Williams, missing him.

Williams immediately fell to the ground and surrendered. Detectives took Williams into custody and they recovered the 9mm handgun on the ground underneath him.

Detective Cramer and Williams were not injured.

Detectives say the 9mm handgun possessed by Williams was previously stolen in a residential burglary in St. Petersburg.

Detectives say they also found evidence of an active narcotic grow operation at Alston and Williams’ residence.

Williams was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Criminal Mischief, and warrant arrests for failure to appear on Kidnapping, Robbery, Possession of Alprazolam charges.

Detectives arrested Earl Alston and charged him with Accessory After the Fact for intentionally harboring Williams who was a wanted felon.

YouTube video of the Sheriff’s press conference can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-5CXNGCybM

The investigation continues.

Booking photograph of Xavier C. Williams.

Booking photograph of Earl Alston.