Tampa, FL — Joseph Edwards Williams, a 26-year old man from Florida who was released from prison as part of efforts to prevent further spread of the coronavirus behind bars, was arrested again after he allegedly shot and killed a man the very next day after being released.
“The order was drafted in an effort to lower the risk of the spread of COVID-19 within the Hillsborough County detention facilities and to protect the inmates, deputies and civilian staff working within the jails,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
The next day since he was released, authorities believe Williams was involved in the fatal shooting of a man in the Progress Village area, according to WFLA.
He was arrested earlier this week, facing charges of second-degree murder, gun possession, violently resisting an officer, drug possession, and paraphernalia possession.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement that Williams “took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while he was out of jail awaiting resolution of a low-level, non-violent offense.”
Williams was arraigned via video appearance and was ordered held on a more than $250,000 bond.