Tyree K. Williams, 24 of Gary, was released February 22nd when Lake County (IN) Deputy Prosecutor Douglas Shaw moved to dismiss the charge against Williams after a review of the evidence in the case.
On December 15th, 2020, Williams fatally shot Max Reed, 31 of Merrillville, IN, in an apartment in East Chicago after a heated confrontation.
According to Williams, he and Reed had an argument earlier in the day after Williams accuse Reed of threatening two women.
Witnesses said that Reed later returned to confront Williams over claims that Williams “disrespected” Reed during the earlier confrontation.
Williams claimed that Reed entered the apartment on the 3600 block of Michigan Court and held Williams, Williams’ girlfriend, and Reed’s girlfriend at gunpoint and ordered one of the women to search a closet for a gun.
Williams told authorities that he feared for his life and reached under a pillow for a gun and shot Reed in the head. Reed died at the scene.
Williams also stated that he dropped the gun and left the apartment, but police had not recovered the gun when charges were filed.
Lake Criminal Court Judge Natalie Bokota granted the state’s motion to dismiss and dismissed the murder charge against Williams after Shaw wrote that the state could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
It is not known at press time if Williams will be asking for compensation for the 14 month incarceration.
