Wanted Man Pointed Gun at Deputy, Sheriff Says

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 26-year-old St. Petersburg man faces a long list of charges after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say he pointed a gun at one of their own Wednesday afternoon.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies went to a home in the 1600 block of Alcazar Way South around 12:40 p.m. to serve felony arrest warrants on Xavier Williams. The sheriff’s office said Williams was wanted on such charges as armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic battery by strangulation and possession of Alprazolam.

When deputies arrived at the home, they spoke with Williams’ father, Earl Alston, 65, who told them his son was inside, an email from the agency said.

Deputies announced their presence and told Williams to come out of the home. It was then that Det. Chris Cramer saw Williams in the back of the home, “low crawling” on the floor, trying to hide, the email said.

Cramer ordered Williams to show his hands. Williams, deputies say, refused, stood up and reached into his waistband.

“Williams pulled out a 9mm handgun and pointed it at Detective Cramer,” the email said. “Detective Cramer feared for his life and fired his handgun once at Williams, missing him.”

Williams, who was not injured, fell to the ground and surrendered, deputies say. His 9mm was recovered from the scene.

Once inside the home, deputies also found an active grow house operation inside, the email said.

Williams was charged on his past warrants and also faces aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and felon in possession of a firearm charges.

Alston was charged with accessory after the fact for harboring his son.

The investigation remains active with more charges pending.

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