Husband's Bullet Grazed Monmouth Woman's Head; 'By The Grace Of God' She Ducked

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ALLENTOWN, NJ — Nikki Williams says it was by the grace of God that she ducked just in time to avoid more serious injury when she was shot on New Year’s Eve.

Williams, the wife of the man charged in a shooting in Allentown that led to a borough-wide shelter-in-place, shared her experience on a GoFundMe created to help her and her son as they try to recover from the shooting.

Nikki Williams, whose name has not been released by authorities, was identified by family friend Susan Toto, who created the GoFundMe to help Nikki with rent, food, bills and a car following the incident.

In an update posted to the GoFundMe, Nikki Williams described the events of the shooting, saying she saw her soon-to-be ex-husband point the gun at her and then ducked. The bullet grazed the back of her head, she said.

The couple’s 6-year-old son was home at the time of the shooting but did not see it happen. He was not physically injured, she said.

After the gunshot, Williams got herself and her son out of the house and called 911. While she and her son were hiding, Williams’ landlord wrestled the gun out of Daniel Williams’ hands before Daniel ran off, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

“There is no doubt in my heart that God’s shielding grace spared my life,” Nikki Williams said. “We are so very blessed.”

After Daniel Williams ran from the scene, a shelter-in-place was issued for the entirety of Allentown while law enforcement searched for him. The shelter-in-place began around 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 and was lifted around 6 p.m. after authorities caught and arrested him.

Daniel Williams was charged with attempted murder, endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to prosecutors.

Since the shooting, Nikki Williams said she has been released from the hospital and that she and her son are staying with friends while they recover. Though she’s had residual issues with her hearing and eyesight following the incident, she said those issues are expected to be resolved.

“I am grateful beyond words for the abundance of love and support coming from every direction,” Williams said. “It’s hard to say right now exactly what is needed.”

“(We) will be on a journey of healing and rebuilding our lives for a while, and I will keep everyone updated as things unfold,” Williams said. “For right now we’re just going to take a bit of time with loved ones and try to rest.”

To access the family’s GoFundMe, you can click here.

Related

• Man Wanted In Connection With Allentown Shooting: Prosecutor
• Man Charged In Shooting That Sparked Townwide Shelter-In-Place In Monmouth County
• NJ Man Shot Wife In Head On NYE In Front Of Landlord: Affidavit