Emmanuel James Williams, 17, is charged with firing a gun into a crowded parking lot at an east-side community center, according to arrest records.
SAN ANTONIO — Emmanuel James Williams is the teen charged with firing a gun into a parking lot crowded with children at an east-side community center on Thursday, according to arrest records.
The 17-year-old sits in jail, charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bonds total $300,000.
This story continues below.
Eyewitnesses who know the teen said he was mad because someone told him a female friend had been slapped by a man. They said a verbal argument quickly escalated.
Several youngsters who had parental permission to share their stories talked about what they saw and heard.
For safety’s sake, we are not naming them.
One young girl said “He grabbed the gun out of his bag, and he shot him (the victim). He shot him in his arm one time and then the man ducked and he shot him again in his shoulder and the man fell and then he ran out the building.”
One of the children recorded video of the chaos in the parking lot as kids who heard the commotion ran away from the danger.
The frantic, shaky video shows children running across the parking lot screaming in fear.
Another girl said, “It was scary. It was like five to six gunshots. I was tearing up because I heard like the bullets falling on the floor.”
The affidavit for an arrest warrant for Williams said the confrontation started inside the Lincoln Park Community Center, and Williams was asked to leave.
It goes on to state once Williams was outside he took a gun from a bag he had and shot eight times at the victim, whose injury was not life threatening. The victim, it said, was only shot one time, which left seven stray shots flying across the recreation center parking lot.
The affidavit goes on to claim that there is surveillance video of Williams taking the gun out of the bag and shooting towards the recreation center.
Police say the shooter got away, but they caught up with him overnight. Online records indicate he was arrested at 11 p.m.
Friday afternoon, San Antonio police shared a statement saying there is no ongoing threat, and park police have stepped up patrols in the area to help park visitors feel safer.
If Williams is able to post bond, his conditions for release include full house arrest, GPS monitoring, a no contact order for all the victims and no guns.
RELATED: Councilmember McKee-Rodriguez issues statement after shooting near San Antonio office
Meanwhile, there are local community groups collaborating to make the streets safer for kids.
Friday afternoon, less than one mile away from the park, Second Baptist Church celebrated their last day of summer camp for kids with a book bag giveaway.
Co-sponsored by WestCare Tx – Ella Austin, they hosted fun, family-centered events for the community and neighborhood.
In addition to the year-ender, they were happy to take 100 children to SeaWorld Thursday with the help of Vantage Bank.
Leaders of the program said they were anxious to demonstrate the positivity that lives in the area, as volunteers work to give kids opportunities for healthy habits and growth.
During their summer camp, they said they used play to have conversations with children about using words to convey feelings, as well as classes and exercises on expressing emotions.
HIS BridgeBuilders is also active in the area, with regular events for families. They host bible studies for kids, cooking classes, basketball opportunities and they have block parties with free food, drinks and music.