U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Sunday that the arrest of a man in connection with the shooting of two Ferguson, Mo., police officers “sends a clear message that acts of violence against our law enforcement officers will never be tolerated.”
Police on Sunday arrested 20-year-old Jeffrey Williams and have charged him with two counts of first-degree assault, one count of firing a weapon from a car, and three counts of armed criminal action.
Police say Williams shot two police officers outside the Ferguson police station earlier this week.
Holder credited cooperation between federal authorities and the St. Louis County Police Department. Federal officials have linked the bullets fired at the officers to a gun found with Williams.
Williams has told police and prosecutors he was firing at someone other than the officers, but authorities say they are investigating that claim.
Williams had been among the Ferguson protesters on several occasions, participating in civil unrest related to the August fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer who has since resigned.
“In the days ahead, we will continue to partner with the authorities in St. Louis County to secure justice for all those affected by this heinous and cowardly crime,” Holder said. “And we will continue to stand vigilant in support of public safety officers and the communities they serve.”
