JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than a month after a shooting in the parking lot of the Avenues Mall, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of the accused shooter.
Michael Williams, 29, was arrested Saturday evening after he was accused of shooting a man in the face, an incident that happened on Dec. 1. The victim told police they were "best friends" and involved in a dispute over a woman, according to arrest records.
A witness told police that he and the victim were at the mall to buy a shirt when they saw Williams. He said they had all been friends previously but Williams and the victim had a "falling out" three years ago over a girl.
The victim wanted to talk to Williams and resolve their disagreement, the witness said, but Williams did not want to talk to him. Williams shoved the victim and a fight began.
The witness said he heard a gunshot and saw that the victim had been shot in the face.
Another witness said that she saw the two fighting on the hood of her car, and she saw the victim get shot. She said that Williams "casually walked away" and got into his car, leaving the scene.
The victim's mother was able to help police identify Williams, sending them a screenshot from a music video he was in.
Police spoke with the victim at the hospital. Though the extent of his injuries was not revealed in the report, he was injured enough that he could not speak at the time, according to the report. The victim got so upset when he saw a photo of Williams that a nurse had to come and administer medicine, police said.
He told police that he "loved" Williams and they were best friends. Williams thought he was having "sexual relations" with his girlfriend, "but it was a lie."
Williams was arrested and charged with attempted murder in the second degree.