Charles Andrew Williams
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Charles Andrew "Andy" Williams (born February 8, 1986 in Frederick, Maryland) is a convicted American murderer. He was the perpetrator of the 2001 shooting at Santana High School in which two students died. Williams is currently serving 50 years to life in prison.
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[edit] Early life
Williams was born to Charles Jeffery and Linda Williams. He was born about 2-weeks premature and was delivered by C-section. He has one older brother named Michael. Linda worked for the US Army and was assigned to the Middle East in June 1989. Williams lived the first 8 months of his life with his mother, but seldom saw her after that. In 1990, the couple divorced. Williams went to his father, while his older brother, Michael, went to his mother. Williams grew up in Maryland, moving twice within the state. In 1999, Williams' father wanted a change of scenery and moved himself and Andrew to 29 Palms, California. For the most part, the two Williams had a good relationship.
After moving to Santee, California, from 29 Palms, California, Williams soon became a target for physical and emotional bullying. In an attempt to fit in, he began to spend time with a crowd of skateboarders, with whom he would often participate in activities such as smoking marijuana. Williams was apparently accepted within this group. Sometimes, however, even these "friends" teased or picked on Williams, and the bullying from other teens continued. In February 2001, just before his 15th birthday, Williams received news that one of his best friends from 29 Palms died in a bus accident. Williams told his new "friends" about this and they laughed at him.
Williams allegedly told friends twice about his plan to "pull a Columbine" at Santana High, but they failed to take him seriously. The first was a week before the shooting, the second time during the weekend leading up to Monday, March 5. Before the shooting, Williams had two skateboards stolen from him. He acquired his weapon, an Arminius .22-cal. revolver, from the locked gun cabinet in his apartment (the gun belonged to Williams' father). After his arrest, he told investigators that he was tired of being bullied.
[edit] The Crime
On Monday, March 5, 2001 at 9:20 AM, 15-year-old Williams began firing a .22-caliber revolver in a boys' bathroom at Santana High School, killing two students. He then left the bathroom firing the revolver indiscriminately at other students. According to one witness, Williams repeatedly walked out of the bathroom, fired shots, then went back into the bathroom. The scene soon turned chaotic as students and teachers ducked or scrambled to safety. Williams reloaded his revolver at least once. A 17-year-old student and a campus supervisor walked into the bathroom to try to stop Williams, but Williams aimed the revolver at them and forced them out. As the student and supervisor walked out Williams fired and hit the supervisor in the back. Two off-duty police officers who were visiting the school were alerted to the shooting, however, they were at different ends of the school. One of them approached the bathroom and called for backup. Police officers quickly arrived and charged the bathroom; they discovered Williams kneeling on the floor with the weapon in his hands. He told officers that he was by himself.
Williams surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody. His shots killed two fellow students, 14-year-old Bryan Zuckor and 17-year-old Randy Gordon. Thirteen others were injured and were transported to various local hospitals.
[edit] Conclusion
On June 20, 2002 Williams, in an effort to avoid a trial, pleaded guilty to all charges against him. On August 15, 2002 a California judge sentenced Williams, as an adult, to 50 years to life in prison, and ordered him to serve his time in the Youth Offender Program at CCI, Tehachapi until his 18th birthday, at which time he would be transferred to adult prison. Williams was given credit for the 529 days that he had served in juvenile hall, fined $10,000.00 and ordered to pay restitution to the Victims Restitution Fund. At his sentencing, Williams apologized and expressed remorse for his actions. On March 1, 2004 he was transferred to an adult prison. Currently, there are grass-root efforts to have Williams' sentence reduced. His supporters argue that the judge was too harsh in sentencing Williams as an adult and did not take into consideration Williams' age at the time of his offense. They would like to see Williams get a new sentence, but as a juvenile, which would have meant confinement by the California Youth Authority until age 25. His appeals continue while currently incarcerated at Calipatria State prison.
