Posted on December 6, 2022

California Robbery Suspect Killed Store Clerk, Not Charged With Murder

Louis Casiano, Fox News, December 4, 2022

A man accused of killing a California gas station clerk during a “botched” robbery will not face a murder charge because the victim had opened fire on the suspect despite his life not being in danger, officials said Thursday.

James Williams, 36, was killed during an early Saturday morning gunfight with Ronald Jackson Jr., 20, at a Chevron in Antioch, Fox San Francisco reported.

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“Officers at the scene were able to determine that the victim was an employee-clerk at the service station and was held-up at gunpoint during what appears to be a ‘botched robbery,'” a police statement said.

Williams was working inside the store when he was confronted by two suspects, one of whom was identified as Jackson, who was allegedly armed with a gun. Williams then pulled out his own weapon.

Jackson allegedly ran out of the store, while dropping cigar packages, and was shot. Williams kept firing as Jackson was on the ground before Jackson allegedly returned fire and killed him, the news report said.

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Jackson was not charged with murder because under the law, the killing could be considered self-defense, authorities said. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Williams pursued Jackson despite the threat of bodily harm or injury had subsided.

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