Arrest made in BoSa Donuts shooting of an employee, customer
Woman left paralyzed following shooting at donut shop
The shooting, which happened at a BoSa Donut store in Mesa on April 2, left two people injured, one of whom, according to officials, is now paralyzed, and cannot eat or breathe without assistance. An arrest has been made in the case. FOX 10's Irene Snyder reports.
MESA, Ariz. - An employee and customer were shot at a BoSa Donuts store in Mesa early Sunday morning, and police say days later, the suspect has been caught.
Authorities say the shooting happened at a location near Rio Salado Parkway and Dobson Road at 3:15 a.m. on April 2.
When officers got to the scene, they found two victims who had been shot – one was in the parking lot and the other was inside the donut shop.
The customer who made the original 911 call told Mesa officers that the suspect pulled out a gun and shot one of the workers. He allegedly continued to shoot at two other employees but missed.
Surveillance video taken in the area managed to capture the sound of at least 10 gunshots.
"It sounded so loud, and when I checked the cameras, it sounded right next to where it happened," said Jeff Dumas, who has two rental properties located about a mile from the shooting.
Police later detailed the incident in a news release, saying, "The caller stated that he went outside, got in his car, and tried to leave. Williams came out of the donut shop and fired several rounds at him while he was trying to drive away."
Suspect said he felt ‘disrespected and angry’ prior to the shooting
According to court documents, Donald Williams, 30, went to the donut shop to ask people for a ride to Scottsdale to pick up his car.
Williams admitted to going to the BoSa Donuts store to get a ride to pick up his car in Scottsdale. He claims he initially got into a car with an unknown man "who he claimed touched his leg in a sexual manner which angered [Williams]," court documents read.
Williams then went home to get his gun, according to court documents. He went back to the donut shop to once again seek a ride. No one helped him, "which made him feel disrespected and angry."
"Everyone had told [Williams] they were working and could not help him," court documents read.
That's when Williams allegedly opened fire.
Williams fled the scene and was arrested three days later after he was identified by victims in a photo lineup.
At first, police say Williams requested a lawyer, but shortly thereafter, he asked to speak to detectives about the shooting.
"[Williams] stated he pulled the gun out with the intention of shooting the staff and patrons with the knowledge that in doing so could result in their deaths," court documents read. "[Williams also stated that he was sure he had killed the male and female victims he shot until he saw other wise [sic] on the news."
After the shooting, Williams told police he went to Riverview Park where he threw the gun and his sweatshirt into the lake. Police are working to retrieve the gun from the lake.
Police said they also searched Williams' home and found a gun case and bullets.
One of the victims was treated at the hospital and released. Another one of the victims is still receiving treatment at the hospital as police say she's paralyzed and isn't able to eat or breathe without help.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise money for medical expenses.
Williams was booked into jail and is accused of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, endangerment and tampering with evidence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mesa Police at 480-644-2211 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
Before being identified by police, the Mesa PD released surveillance footage stills of Williams:
‘It needs to stop’
Bennett Hernandez came to BoSa Donuts for a Sunday afternoon treat. He was shocked to hear the store was victim to a late-night shooting.
"It’s crazy – just so – out of the blue," he said. "Especially a donut place."
The shooting stunned other regulars like Rachelle.
"It’s really scary. The people who work there are really nice and really giving … it’s just crazy someone came out of nowhere and shot them," she said.
She was worried when the suspect was still on the loose.
"Since he’s still on the loose, it’s like, oh no, where could he be next? Because it couldn’t just be that donut shop, it could be anywhere else," she said before Williams was caught.
Ricardo Lopez tried to swing by for some Sunday evening snacks and said, "I was just trying to buy a dozen donuts." Instead, he too learned what happened, and says it's unnerving the suspect is still out there.
Austin Harvey is the general manager of Henhouse Cafe next door and says he came to work to see the parking lot taped off and officers processing evidence.
"It was just kind of crazy, kind of chaotic," he said. "It hits home. It’s right next door …"
Those thoughts were echoed by customers Brittney and Latonya who were planning to pick up treats for a loved one's birthday.
"It’s scary because me and my husband are actually food truck owners who were attacked, and we were on the news for that, so to see this happen again, it's scary, it needs to stop," Brittney said.
They're sick of hearing about so much violence.
"We need peace, come together, eat donuts, have coffee, meet new friends," Latonya said. "This … is horrible."
The owner of this BoSa location said she was in the store when this happened. She’s still shaken and is processing those horrible moments.
The store reopened on Friday morning, however, it will no longer be open 24 hours a day.
Where the shooting happened: