Family, friends of Darryl Williams gather one year after he died in police custody
Family members of Darryl Williams gathered on Wednesday for a vigil and balloon release in Raleigh to commemorate one year since his passing.
Williams died while in police custody on Jan. 17, 2023. In footage released by the Raleigh Police Department of the arrest, officers used a stun gun on Willilams multiple times.
Williams told officers he had a heart condition while they deployed the stun gun on him.
“It doesn’t take six officers to take down one man,” his mother, Sonya Williams, said. “I think that was wrong.”
She said still struggles with the loss of her son.
“I have mixed feelings, and [I’m] still grieving,” she said. “I’ll never fully get over my son.”
Friends and family gathered at the location of his death, a sweepstakes parlor on Rock Quarry Road, and expressed their frustration with the incident.
Kerwin Pittman with Emancipate NC said he was disappointed by the Wake County District Attorney’s decision, adding that he and others have been pushing behind the scenes for accountability.
“This situation would be rectified if these officers were held accountable, not only if they were held accountable, but those who are in positions of power were made to pay for the death of Darryl Williams,” Pittman said. “When I say pay, I mean pay, financially.”
Raleigh police placed the six officers on administrative leave following Williams’ death. WRAL News asked the Raleigh Police Department to see if the officers are still on leave and have not heard back.
