Suspected shooter of pleads not guilty

The suspected teenage shooter of a Vanden High student and athlete on Sunday appeared for a jail arraignment Thursday in Solano County Superior Court and entered a not-guilty plea.

Fairfield criminal defense attorney Curtis Boyd, who represents James Sterling Shawn Williams, 18, the alleged shooter of Daniel Hughes, confirmed his client’s plea late Thursday after the arraignment in Department 17 in the Justice Center in Fairfield.

Boyd also confirmed Williams’ next court appearances, a readiness conference at 8:30 a.m. April 15 and a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. April 20 in Department 9, Judge Carlos R. Gutierrez’s courtroom, also in the Justice Center.

Solano County Chief Deputy District Attorney Paul Sequeira represented the people at the arraignment.

Boyd noted that Williams initially was charged with four counts and was arrested and booked into Solano County Jail on Tuesday, with bail initially set at $105,000.

But during the afternoon proceeding in front of Judge Terrye D. Davis, the charges were reduced to three: discharge of a firearm with gross negligence; possession of a firearm not his own; and possession of a firearm with a threaded barrel. Boyd also argued for a reduction in bail, and the judge granted it, resetting it at $70,000. At press time, court records showed the

new bail amount entry but there was no indication that Williams posted the bond.

“This is one of the most tragic cases I’ve ever seen,” Boyd said during a brief telephone interview. “They played varsity football for Vanden and were close friends. Everything indicates this was a tragic accident.”

Hughes, 17, as previously reported on Tuesday, remained in critical condition in a local hospital after being shot in Fairfield on Easter, and Williams later turned himself in to police.

Details about the shooting largely remain unclear, but they will be made known during the preliminary hearing, with the presentation of evidence and

witness testimony, but Boyd said he suspected the hearing likely will be rescheduled beyond the April 20 date to give him more time to gather more information about the shooting.

What’s known is that, around 4:40 p.m. Sunday, Fairfield police officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim in a vehicle in the 1000 block of Broadway Street. They located the wounded teen in the vehicle along with another young man but the driver, said to be the suspect, had fled, said Sgt. John Divine.

Officers performed lifesaving measures on Hughes, who was identified by family members, and was transported to NorthBay Medical Center for treatment of his life-threatening wound. A handgun was found at the scene, Divine said.

A Ramey Warrant, a warrant issued by a judge before a prosecutor has filed formal charges, was issued later for Williams, a resident of Fairfield. He surrendered to police Tuesday afternoon and was booked into Solano County Jail, where records indicated he remains in custody.

A previously reported, a vigil was held for Hughes on Monday night, and loved ones shared their sadness on social media.

A GoFundMe for his family has been set up by a cousin. To contribute, visit https://bit.ly/3moKRrM.