On Friday, January 6, State Attorney Ginger Madden held a press conference to update the public on the shooting that occurred on December 24 in Fort Walton Beach, in which Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Corporal Ray Hamilton was killed. 

During the press conference, Madden announced that a grand jury had indicted Timothy Paul Price Williams with first degree murder and three counts of attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer in connection with the shooting. 

• Williams has been served with the indictment and will be held on no bond in the Okaloosa County Jail until his arraignment on February 16.

According to Madden, if convicted, the only two options are a life sentence or the death penalty. Madden indicated that a death penalty review committee will convene in the coming weeks to determine whether the death penalty is an appropriate sentence for Williams if he is convicted. 

• While she was unable to provide further details on the case due to legal and ethical restrictions, she assured reporters that the State Attorney’s Office will make information available as it becomes permitted.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden also spoke at the press conference, thanking Madden and her staff for their diligent efforts in preparing the case for presentation to the grand jury. Aden extended his condolences to Hamilton’s family and praised the bravery of the deputies who responded to the incident.

“The only comment I’d like to make is I want to thank Ms. Madden and her staff, all of them, for the diligent effort they’ve put into this case,” Aden said. “I also want to extend my condolences to the family of Corporal Hamilton and to his brothers and sisters in the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies that responded to this incident displayed tremendous bravery and courage in the face of a very dangerous situation.”