Shooter who killed 2, injured 13 in notorious SoCal school rampage could now go free
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On the morning of March 5, 2001, Charles “Andy” Williams took a black revolver that he’d gotten from his father’s locked gun cabinet and calmly and methodically unleashed a barrage of gunfire into the bathroom, hallway and quad of Santana High School.Two students died and 13 people were wounded in the attack at the suburban San Diego school, which then-President Bush described as “a disgraceful act of cowardice.” Williams, who was 15 at the time of the rampage, pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced in adult court to 50 years to life in prison.Now, in a matter of months, he may walk free.On Tuesday, a Superior Court judge granted Williams’ request to recall his sentence under a California law that allows for the resentencing of juvenile cases that were tried in adult court.
This means Williams will be transferred to the juvenile court system, where he could become eligible for immediate release from prison.The San Diego County district attorney’s office strongly opposes the resentencing and has filed an appeal to prevent the hearing from going forward.“This defendant carried out a calculated, cold-blooded attack during which he executed two young students and shot 11 other students and two school officials, forever traumatizing a community,” said Dist.Atty.
Summer Stephan in a statement.“As prosecutors, our duty is to ensure justice for victims and protect public safety, and the defendant’s cruel actions in this case continue to warrant the 50-years-to-life sentence that was imposed.”Williams, who is now 39 years old, first became eligible for youth offender parole in September 2024, at which time the Parole Board deemed him a threat to public safety and unsuitable for release.
Through the juvenile resentencing process, Williams would be released without any parole supervision or determination that such a move would not pose a risk to public s...