Byron Williams (shooter)
Encyclopedia
Byron Williams is an American
responsible for the July 18, 2010 shootout with California Highway Patrol
officers on I-580
in Oakland, California
. According to police, Williams planned to attack the San Francisco ACLU and Tides Foundation, with the intention of "starting a revolution." Williams is a multiple-felon, who had previously been convicted twice for bank robbery.
Williams stated that the idea to go after the Tides Foundation and the ACLU was inspired by the conspiracy theories of conservative pundit Glenn Beck
.
(population approximately 4000). News media have reported that Williams was 45 years old in 2010.
officers attempted to stop Williams, whose speeding pickup truck was seen on westbound Interstate 580 weaving through traffic. Williams stopped his truck in the middle of the freeway, then started firing a handgun at the officers. Williams, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, did not surrender until he was struck by numerous bullets.The shootout lasted for 12 minutes.
Williams was attempting to "start a revolution" by attacking the ACLU and the Tides Foundation. His main source of inspiration was Glenn Beck
, and he was also inspired by David Horowitz
and Alex Jones
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
responsible for the July 18, 2010 shootout with California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
officers on I-580
Interstate 580 (California)
Interstate 580 is an 80-mile east–west Interstate Highway in Northern California. The heavily traveled spur route of Interstate 80 runs from San Rafael in the San Francisco Bay Area to Interstate 5 near Tracy in the Central Valley...
in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. According to police, Williams planned to attack the San Francisco ACLU and Tides Foundation, with the intention of "starting a revolution." Williams is a multiple-felon, who had previously been convicted twice for bank robbery.
Williams stated that the idea to go after the Tides Foundation and the ACLU was inspired by the conspiracy theories of conservative pundit Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
.
Home life
Until the time of his arrest, Williams had been living with his mother, Janice Williams, in the rural town of Groveland, CaliforniaGroveland, California
Groveland is a census-designated place in Tuolumne County, California. Groveland sits at an elevation of . The 2010 United States census reported Groveland's population was 601....
(population approximately 4000). News media have reported that Williams was 45 years old in 2010.
Arrest
On July 18, 2010 two California Highway PatrolCalifornia Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
officers attempted to stop Williams, whose speeding pickup truck was seen on westbound Interstate 580 weaving through traffic. Williams stopped his truck in the middle of the freeway, then started firing a handgun at the officers. Williams, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, did not surrender until he was struck by numerous bullets.The shootout lasted for 12 minutes.
Williams was attempting to "start a revolution" by attacking the ACLU and the Tides Foundation. His main source of inspiration was Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, and he was also inspired by David Horowitz
David Horowitz
David Joel Horowitz is an American conservative writer and policy advocate. Horowitz was raised by parents who were both members of the American Communist Party. Between 1956 and 1975, Horowitz was an outspoken adherent of the New Left before rejecting Marxism completely...
and Alex Jones
Alex Jones
Alex or Alexander Jones may refer to:*Alex Jones , U.S. radio host and filmmaker*Alex Jones , Major League Baseball pitcher from 1889 to 1903...
.