JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The man shot and killed by Jacksonville Beach police Tuesday morning was part of a group of men that had tried kidnap a Jaguars cheerleader hours earlier, according to police.
According to police reports, Jamie Williams, 21, along with Andrew Krest, 23, and James Thomas, 24, and a 15-year-old boy tried to break into a cheerleader's Neptune Beach apartment, planning to tie her up and rape her, then steal her Mercedes-Benz and drive to Miami.
Recommended Videos
When investigators asked one of the suspects what they would do with her after that, one suspect made a motion across his neck, indicating they were planning to kill her.
According to police, the suspects attempted to break into the victim's apartment by reaching in to remove a window air conditioner Monday night when she screamed and grabbed one of their arms. The suspects got scared and ran off.
"Yelling and fighting back with the person that was outside saved her life, probably," Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach said Thursday.
Less than six hours later, two Jacksonville Beach police officers responding to a disturbance pursued Williams, who was armed with a handgun, onto the beach behind the Seawalk Pavillion. Authorities said Williams raised the gun to his head, then pointed it at the officers. He was shot once in the chest and died at the scene.
After the fatal shooting, Jacksonville Beach police interviewing the other people on the beach that morning learned of the foiled break-in and the group's conspiracy.
"The detectives put their heads together and started talking and asking questions and this bigger case developed," Sembach told Channel 4's Melanie Lawson.
Krest and Thomas were arrested Tuesday evening and charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and burglary. They are being held in the Duval County jail on $100,000 bond.
Neptune and Jacksonville Beach police said all three of the suspects had previous arrests, including auto theft, grand theft, criminal mischief, drugs and other offenses.
Police didn't know if the suspects were aware that the victim was a Jaguars cheerleader, although her Mercedes had a vanity tag reading, "The Roar," the name of the cheerleading squad.
"We're pleased that she is safe, and that the police are handling this situation," Jaguars' Communications Director Dan Edwards said in a statement.
Police said that the investigation is still under way and there may be more arrests.
Previous Story:
- October 11, 2005: Police Shoot, Kill Armed Man On Jacksonville Beach