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Father of toddler shot to death in drive-by hopes others can benefit from his tragedy

Written by Tanya Terry

Three-year-old Messiah Williams died October 22 after bullets flew through his home on Oklahoma Avenue, in Flint, during a drive by shooting. Four men have been since been charged in connection with the crime.

The toddler’s father, Henry Williams, said his son gave him ambition to be something he didn’t think was reachable. He said he had never met someone who had so much courage and so much love and who was so strong.

Henry Williams said now his family is “broken,” and they only have pictures of his son to look at now.

Henry Williams

State Representatives Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint), Graham Filler (R-DeWitt), Mike Mueller (R-Linden) and Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) recently held a press conference at Flint City Hall to discuss their legislation to increase penalties on drive-by shootings. The four bill package was sent to the House Judiciary Committee June 16.

If passed, “Messiah’s law” would toughen penalties for suspects who shoot into homes or vehicles. When children or present, penalties would increase, especially a child is injured or killed. Mandatory life sentences would be required for anyone convicted of shooting into a crowd, vehicle or building and killing a child.

The idea for the legislation came from Messiah William’s family. Rep.  Neeley met with the family and worked with them to create the legislation.

“I went to Lansing and talked to my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, and they all were on board to helping me find a solution,” Rep. Neeley said.

Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint)-speaker

Rep Neeley said she was happy to drop the new law.

Filler called the law “a good starting point.”

Graham Filler (R-DeWitt)

“It’s not going to stop all violence overnight,” he said. “We’re not so idealistic to believe that.”

Filler said the law does show communities can be empowered to say “enough is enough.”

Mike Mueller (R-Linden), who spent 19 years in law enforcement, said he is sponsoring the bill because actions such as shooting up a house are “planned acts of violence that intentionally target innocent people.”

Mike Mueller (R-Linden)

“Just recently many of you may have heard the story about the two-year-old in Detroit gunned down on the expressway,” Young said. “I mean, who can imagine, parents driving down the street and then all of a sudden bullets and then you’re looking in the back and you see your baby-hunched over.”

Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit)

Young said they would do their best to make certain that Michigan knows they’re not just going to stand by and continue to allow these things to happen. She also said they wouldn’t stop until they saw zero drive by shootings in Michigan.

Several other representatives and Genesee County officials attended the press conference.

Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson said it takes a family tragedy sometimes to get the attention something deserves.

Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson

“Unfortunately, it costs the life of a little boy,” he said.

Swanson said Messiah Williams’ life was not in vain, and he would make a difference.

According to Henry Williams, “the bill is going strictly after the criminals, people who don’t care about my life, your life or your kids’ life.”

“I’m just hoping that people listen to what we say and that they understand that this has been happening too long and they help us change this,” Henry Williams said. “It could be your kid. You could be standing up here next time. So, let me bear the brunt of the bad to save someone else-to stop you from standing here trying to do what I’m doing now. Let me do it now and let it be over.”

Henry Williams

Henry Williams suggests concerned Michigan residents call the representatives and senators, as well as let people know in their community what is happening in regards to Messiah’s Law.

“I’m the one that’s brunting. My kid’s dead. It could be your kids next time. So, let’s stop it. Let it end with my kid, and keep your kid alive.”

 

 

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