David Williams
Introduction
David Williams, 36, of Buffalo, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, an offense carrying a 15-year maximum term of imprisonment. He is not David Williams Jr., the Buffalo “Lavish David” Glock-switch defendant also covered on this site. Per the complaint, Williams allegedly pointed a firearm at an occupant of a vehicle on Buffalo’s streets and shot at the car as the victims drove away — accusations that have not been tested in court. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest.
Background Information
Williams has three prior felony convictions and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm — the status underlying the federal charge. At the time of the alleged incident, he was under the supervision of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and was wearing an ankle monitor, which allowed investigators to determine his location at the time. The release provides no further biographical information about Williams beyond his age, his Buffalo residence, and his supervised history.
The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation
Charged, not convicted.
According to the criminal complaint, on October 11, 2026, Buffalo Police officers responded to Geneva and Curtiss Streets to a report of shots fired. Numerous shotgun and 9mm shells were recovered as evidence.
The following day, on October 12, 2026, detectives interviewed two victims regarding the incident the previous day. The victims stated that they were sitting in their vehicle in front of a Geneva Street residence when they observed a black vehicle driving toward them going the wrong way on the street. A few moments later, per their account, a man approached their vehicle, tapped on the window and pointed a firearm at one of the victims. The victims drove off until they were far enough away to pull over and call police, and one of the victims said the man started shooting at their car when they pulled away, leaving numerous bullet holes in the vehicle.
The ankle monitor is where the allegations converge on Williams. Because he was on state supervision at the time, investigators were able to determine his location during the incident. On October 14, 2026, Buffalo Police detectives attempted to take Williams into custody following a vehicle stop at Bailey Avenue and East Ferry Street, but, per the complaint, Williams pulled away and attempted to flee. He was eventually taken into custody but continued to resist arrest while officers were placing him in handcuffs. During the arrest, officers recovered a loaded firearm from Williams as well as a bag of suspected narcotics.
Williams made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained. Nothing in the release indicates any conviction on these charges; the accusation must still be proven, and the felon-in-possession count carries a 15-year maximum term of imprisonment if it is.
Public Reaction and Consequences
The release quotes no officials and contains no statements beyond the complaint account, so the public record here is the charging paperwork itself. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Louis Testanti and Katerina Powers. The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Daniel F. Martuscello, III.
Current Status
Williams is detained following his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, and the charge against him remains pending. The release states plainly: “The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.” The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Impact on Their Career/Life
The federal charge arrives while Williams, 36, is already under state supervision and wearing an ankle monitor, and his three prior felony convictions mean any firearm possession is separately illegal for him. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison; if not, the complaint remains an unproven accusation. The loaded firearm and bag of suspected narcotics recovered during the October 14 arrest, per the complaint, now form part of the record alongside the October 11 shell casings. The release describes no employment, family, or other personal consequences.
Sources
- U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, “Prior felon arrested on gun charge after attempting to flee from police”, October 28, 2026 — source