The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

June 26, 2009

UPDATE: Man police say shot women waives hearing

Williams, washington

By Joe Pinchot

SHENANGO VALLEY — A Cleveland man waived to court charges that he shot at three women May 2 in Farrell.

Antoine L. Williams Sr., 29, is charged by Southwest Mercer County Regional police with three counts each of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats.

Williams decided Thursday to waive the charges for court after learning that testimony from prosecutors at a preliminary hearing would largely be the same as what was presented a week ago at an other hearing in Sharon.

Sharon police charged Williams, formerly of Hermitage, with four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of attempted homicide and single counts of carrying a firearm without a license and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Sharon police said Williams chased the women into Sharon, where he shot two of them. Their injuries were not life-threatening.

At the earlier hearing, Katrina Austin testified she was driving on Lee Avenue in Farrell when she saw her sister, Sylvia C. Ferguson, bleeding from the head. Ms. Ferguson told her she had been pistol-whipped by Williams, and Williams fired two or three shots at them, Ms. Austin said.

Jessica Robinson also was in the car.

Williams drove away but caught up with Ms. Austin’s car later and fired at it, Ms. Austin said.

The women jumped out of the car on Florence Street in Sharon and ran, Ms. Austin said. Ms. Austin was shot in the leg and wrist, and a bullet grazed Ms. Robinson’s leg, Ms. Austin said.

Williams, Kevin Washington, 50, who has had several Shenango Valley addresses, and Ms. Ferguson, 29, of Hermitage, also have been charged with contacting Ms. Austin to deter her from testifying, Mercer County Sheriff’s Department said.

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