The man who allegedly shot six outside a Nashville nightclub on Sunday was previously released from jail on a $50,000 bond, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed.
Twenty-four year-old Erik Dewaun Williams is accused of injuring six in a shooting near the Soho Lounge in South Nashville, with MNPD reporting officers were initially responding to a call about “persons with guns fighting.”
Upon arrival, police say “they saw Williams holding a pistol and then throw it down when he noticed the police. He tried to run but was taken into custody.”
Police say the gunfire was apparently sparked by an argument, and, “Williams is accused of, at minimum, contributing to the gunfire.”
Williams’ alleged victims made their way to Vanderbilt Hospital in private vehicles, but one of the vehicles crashed in transit, with the victims then taken to the hospital. MNPD reported all are in stable condition.
The MNPD press release confirms, “Williams was free on $50,000 bond in relation to a pending 2022 grand jury indictment that also charges him with felony reckless endangerment and unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon.” He was expected to appear in court for that case on May 16.
Nashville court records reveal Williams last appeared before Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Khadija Babb for that case on March 28.
In the 2022 case, Williams was originally arraigned by former Judge Monte Watkins, who was defeated by Babb in the Democratic Party primary in 2022 after holding the judgeship for nearly 20 years.
Following his Sunday arrest, Williams was assigned bond totaling $300,000 by Davidson County General Sessions Court Judge Rachel Bell.
The news that Williams was out on bond when he committed the alleged shooting came just days after it was revealed the man who killed a Memphis police officer was released on his own recognizance at the time of the murder.
Following a prior incident, police requested Jaylen Lobley, who died during the April 12 shooting with police, be assigned a $150,000 bond. It was set at $10,000. When he was unable to pay, the court released Lobley on his own recognizance with the condition that he comply with a curfew.
The number of Tennessee criminals who commit further crimes while out on bond led House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and other legislative leaders to announce a push for a constitutional amendment which would allow judges to deny bail or set higher bond amounts.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Erik Dewaun Williams” by Metro Nashville Police Department and photo “Davidson County Courthouse is by CMH2315fl CCNC2.0.
