Police: Accused shooter had young child with her when she attacked female rival
A pregnant woman involved in a lover’s triangle had her young child with her when she saw her baby’s father with the other woman and shot her in Center Line, police said Thursday.
Shantoya Chardonay Williamson, 26, of Detroit, was arraigned in 37th District Court on charges of assault with intent to murder, a life felony, and fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor.
Williamson is accused of shooting the other woman, who police say was sitting together with the father of Williamson’s child in a car.
“At the time, Williamson
had her 2-yearold child in the back of her vehicle,” said Center Line police Deputy Chief Jorge Bermudez.
No one else was hit by the gunfire.
According to
Center Line police, the incident took place shortly after noon this past Sunday when police received several 911 calls about gunshots being fired from an SUV at someone in a Dodge Charger on Center Street, in the area of 11 Mile Road and MacArthur.
Witnesses told investigators the SUV pulled up alongside of the Charger and the two female drivers began arguing. Neighbors said a male got out of the
Charger as the argument continued.
The driver of the SUV reportedly fired several times at the other woman, who was sitting in her car.
Both vehicles fled the area after the shooting stopped, police said.
As police arrived and conducted an investigation, they found several spent bullet casing in the road.
A message was sent out to neighboring police departments and hospitals to be on the lookout for a gunshot victim.
A short time later, Center Line police received a call from Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, saying the victim had showed up there for medical treatment. The woman was treated for non life-threatening wounds.
Investigators identified Williamson as the shooter. The male who was seen leaving the shooting scene was identified as Timothy Payton, who previously had a baby with Williamson.
Williamson, who reportedly is again pregnant by Payton, was tracked down to her Detroit residence where she was arrested.
There was some question as to whether the shooting victim also was impregnated by Payton. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed their report on Thursday.
“That’s news to us,” Bermudez
said.
In court Wednesday, Judge Michael E. Chupa set bond at $750,000 for Williamson and remanded her to the Macomb County Jail. If she is able to make bond, the judge ordered she cannot have contact with the victim, avoid firearms, and be fitted for a steel tether.
Jail records show Williamson has outstanding warrants from at least three other communities. She is wanted for driving with a suspended license in Dearborn Heights, Huron Township, and Sterling Heights.
She is due back in court on March 1 for a probable cause conference, and then is to return on March 8 for a preliminary exam.