20-year-old man charged with murder after fatal shooting in Algonquin neighborhood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- LMPD homicide detectives are investigating after a man was gunned down in broad daylight in the Algonquin neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

It happened just before 1 p.m. in the 1200 block of Brasher Court near the intersection of South 13th Street and West Hill Street outside the Parkway Place housing complex.

Police say the victim, who has not yet been identified, has died. This is the sixth murder at the housing complex this year. Deandre Williams, 20, was arrested later Wednesday and charged with murder.

Family members arriving at the scene were visibly upset, yelling and crying. They want to know why their loved one was shot and killed and who did it. They said the victim lived at the Parkway Place housing complex. Police said he was shot outside one of the buildings.

A woman who said she's the victim's her nephew. She said he's 20 years old and was headed to college next month.

As police were conducting their investigation, family members were fighting who is the blood cousin of the victim. One man threw a punch and was quickly handcuffed and questioned by police.

Police are asking the community to remain calm and for help in solving this crime.

"Someone is dead," LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said. "I don't know if they're family members or whatever, but cooler heads have to prevail at this point, because that's certainly not going to bring this individual back. But it could lead to the person or persons who may be responsible.

Family members did not want to appear on camera out of fear for their safety.

During Williams' court appearance Thursday morning, Jefferson County District Judge Sean Delahanty allowed Williams to be released on home incarceration, after a brief back-and-forth with Assistant County Attorney Cristin Southard.

After an attorney requested home incarceration on behalf of Williams -- stressing that he was "low risk" and had a construction job -- Judge Delahanty expressed frustration on what he considered the lack of detail on Williams' arrest report.

"I have absolutely no information about this case other than someone was killed," Judge Delahanty said.

Williams' attorney spoke up in his favor.

"Your honor, Mr. Williams does not have any prior criminal history," he said. "We understand the charge – however that's just one factor for the court to consider. I am aware that Mr. Williams is employed in a construction job. He actually just recently began that job in speaking with his mother, so we would request home incarceration with work release."

But Southard was quick to argue against home incarceration.

"Your honor, at this point in time it's one count of murder," she said. "The county's position is that the presents a danger to the community. Certainly in the citation -- while it may be a little short on verbiage, it certainly indicates that he has made a statement to intentionally shooting and killing somebody. We know who the victim is. This is obviously a very serious crime. The county's position is that the $100,000 full cash bond is appropriate and that HIP with releases would not be appropriate at this time."

But Judge Delahanty again blasted the arrest citation as lacking detail.

"The problem is I don’t even know the location of the shooting…" he said.

He then turned to Williams' attorney.

"Where would he live?" the judge asked.

"Your honor, he would continue living with his mother," the attorney replied.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. That sort of disqualifies him right away," the judge said.

Southard spoke up.

"The county’s position, your honor, is that this is a murder charge and that HIP is inappropriate, no matter where…

"I understand that," the judge said.

Williams' attorney said he could live with his father in Shively.

"I'm gonna put him on HIP," Judge Delahanty said. "He's not going to live anywhere close to, within five miles of Moore Court. Again, I appreciate your comments Ms. Southard. There's a lot of reasons why…with what little information I have, the information I do have is that he’s at low risk to fail to appear, he is a low risk to re-offend. I have no idea – if I had better facts, I might be able to make some decision to work in your favor."

"So judge, just to be clear, if you had better facts than, after being mirandized, he has admitted to intentionally shooting and killing somebody..." Southard said.

"Can I tell you something?" the judge said. "Part of it is, there are defenses to murder, Ms. Southard. There are defenses to murder. And without the facts, I cannot presume that this was some kind of evil intention and unjustifiable act."

"There is a presumption of innocence, fundamental to American society," the judge continued. "He is presumed to be innocent. Even though he has confessed to shooting him, there are defenses. Perhaps this death occurred in self defense. I have no idea. And I really have no information to draw some sort of negative inference. So I guess what we need to do Ms. Southard is police have to give us some better information about this."

The judge granted the home incarceration request a short time later.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the LMPD crime tip line at 574-LMPD (574-5673). All calls are anonymous.