Newark – Delaware State Police have arrested a Wilmington man following an assault which occurred at the Christiana Mall yesterday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale.
Hale said that the investigation began at approximately 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, after troopers were called to respond to the bus stop located in front of the Nordstrom store, located at 100 Christiana Mall, Newark, for the report of a fight in which a male victim had been cut by a suspect who was armed with a knife.
Upon their arrival it was learned that a male suspect, later identified as Richard J. Williams, Jr., 46, of Wilmington, had been at the bus stop when, for an unknown reason, he began to chase an unknown male victim while armed with a large serrated kitchen knife, said Hale.
The victim was able to flee the area however, without sustaining any injuries. It was at this time that Williams targeted a second victim, a 22 year old male, who was also standing at the bus stop. Williams swung the knife at the victim, striking him on his hand and wrist, according to Hale.
He was subsequently surrounded by members of the Christiana Mall security staff who had responded to the incident. The security members were able to keep Williams away from other potential victims until the arrival of two Delaware State Troopers, who ordered him to drop the knife.
Williams, however, ignored their commands and would flee from the troopers on several occasions. As the troopers would approach Williams, he would turn and lunge at them with the knife, said Hale. It was at this point that several more troopers, as well as officers from the New Castle County Police, arrived at the mall and were able to take Williams into custody after a brief struggle and the deployment of a Taser by an officer from the New Castle County Police.
Richard Williams was transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated and released.
He was then transported to Troop 2 where he was subsequently charged by troopers with Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony, 2 counts of Aggravated Menacing, Resisting Arrest, Offensive Touching of a Law Enforcement Officer, and Disorderly Conduct.
He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Facility in default of $73,050.00 cash bail.
The 22 year old male victim was also removed from the scene by ambulance and transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated for his serious but non-life threatening injuries. It is not believed that the victim was specifically targeted in this incident.
A Delaware State Trooper was also slightly injured during the struggle with Richard Williams. He was treated at the Christiana Hospital and released.
The victim from the original fight fled the area prior to the arrival of troopers and has not been identified.