Seeking Justice for Father Killed by Canton Police Officer in Sniper-Style Shooting

Bobby DiCello is seeking justice for James Williams in a civil suit against the city of Canton, Ohio, after one of its police officers shot and killed Williams, a 46-year-old Black man, through a wooden fence without warning. The lawsuit claims the city failed to properly train its officers and has an unwritten policy of “shoot first and ask questions later.”

On January 1, 2022, James Williams was on his porch celebrating the arrival of the new year with his family when he discharged his rifle into the air as part of a well-known New Year’s Eve custom. A nearby Canton police officer, Robert Huber, heard the gunshots and drove to the Williams residence. Rather than approach the home or speak to anyone, Huber stayed behind the property’s privacy fence and, after hearing more shots, fired multiple rounds through the fence in Williams’ general direction, striking him with a fatal shot to the back.

Huber failed to deescalate the situation and identified himself as a police officer only after he had already shot Williams. Furthermore, he didn’t attempt to render medical assistance and left the scene to await the arrival of more police.

Bobby is pursuing a civil case against Officer Huber, police department supervisors, and the city of Canton to help restore the human dignity that was stolen from the Williams family by this blatant use of excessive force. In March 2023, Bobby filed the lawsuit—Marquetta Williams, et al. v. City of Canton and Robert Huber, et al.—in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.