A Florida man was arrested on a charge of murder allegedly committed one day after he was released from jail to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Joseph Edward Williams, 26, was arrested Monday in Tampa, Florida, in connection to a March 20 fatal shooting.
“There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, nonviolent offense,” Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister told the Tampa Bay Times.
Officers were first alerted to the shooting when they received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots last month. They found an injured man, who later died at Tampa General Hospital. Authorities believe the shooting was not random.
Williams was initially jailed for possession of less than four grams of heroin, a third-degree felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail on March 19. He has since been charged with second-degree murder, resisting an officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. He is being held on a $280,500 bail.
