El Paso County courthouse shooting: Suspect waited outside courthouse to gun down victim -report

A 28-year-old man was allegedly gunned down by a suspect who waited for the victim outside a Colorado courthouse before approaching him and opening fire, witnesses said, per The Denver Post.

The incident occurred on November 16 near the El Paso County courthouse, and a witness in the arrest affidavit stated that he spotted the suspect, Shaquille Brown, waiting outside the courthouse for 20 minutes before he approached William Winters and opened fire on him. Brown, 29, shot Winters multiple times, with the bullets striking the victim’s chest and head. 

The arrest affidavit also stated that another witness said Brown opened fire on Winters again after hearing the gunman say, “I told you I was going to get you.” Authorities said Williams was gunned down while he was holding a baby in a car. The minor, who was dropped as a result of the shooting, suffered redness and bruising while Williams succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

In the wake of the shooting, Brown told authorities that he was at a bar in downtown Colorado Springs in April when Winters attacked and injured him, adding that he shot and killed him because the victim sent him threatening messages via text and social media. Brown was, however, unable to provide the threatening messages in question.

Brown also claimed he became “frightened” after Winters threatened to kill him during one of the pre-trial proceedings linked to the assault case, the affidavit stated, per KKTV. Brown also told authorities that his fear of Winters made him borrow a gun, adding that he opened fire on Winters after he “observed” the victim “walking directly towards him.”

“Mr. Brown stated he felt fear and pressure, and stated he ‘would not allow’ (Winters) to harm him again,” a Colorado Springs detective stated in the affidavit.

But after it was shown Brown’s account of what occurred was inconsistent with surveillance footage, the suspect informed police that he “blacked out” and could not control his actions, The Denver Post reported.

Winters was also set to appear before the court for an arraignment in the April assault case on the day Brown allegedly shot and killed him, documents stated. Brown has since been charged with first-degree murder.