On Friday, August 16, 2024, Kyle Williamson, 33, was sentenced to 64 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of First-Degree Assault for firing at officers during a pursuit in 2023.
On October 11, 2023, Thorton police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado that was spray-painted and displayed tags for a different truck. The vehicle was occupied by Kyle Williamson, who was on parole, and his wife, Hannah Woolard.
While chasing the couple, Williamson leaned out of the driver side window and fired multiple shots toward officers. Thornton officers chased the truck before calling off the pursuit near I-25 and Ridgegate Parkway. Douglas County deputies then began to pursue the truck and attempted to deploy a tire deflation device. In an attempt to further evade deputies, Williamson drove over a sidewalk and through landscaping before crashing into a 7-Eleven convenience store.
Fortunately, the store clerk and a customer inside the store at the time of the collision were not injured. Williamson ignored multiple commands to put his hands up and pointed a gun at a deputy. Two deputies opened fire, striking Williamson multiple times. Woolard was not hit.
Woolard pleaded guilty earlier this year to being an Accessory to a Crime, a class 4 felony. She was sentenced on August 5, 2024 to 3 years in Community Corrections.
Williamson received a 16-year-sentence for each count of First-Degree Assault. Each sentence will be served consecutively.
“This case highlights the inherently dangerous job our law enforcement partners do when conducting traffic stops,” Chief Deputy DA Jake Adkins said. “This defendant only cared about getting away that night and he showed no regard for the safety of the public or officers.”
In addition to the 64-year sentence, Williamson will also serve 3-years of mandatory parole.
“I’m grateful that no officers were seriously injured following the defendant’s appalling behavior,” Deputy DA Keegan Doheney said. “Any one of those bullets the defendant fired could have been deadly. Given the egregiousness of this case, a decades-long prison sentence is appropriate.”
Williamson was released on parole in 2022 after being sentenced in 2011 to Attempted Sexual Assault and Child Abuse causing Serious Bodily Injury (SBI).
Kyle Williamson (DOC Photo)
“Kyle Williamson’s reckless actions put countless lives in danger, and today’s plea deal ensures he will be held accountable for his actions,” Sheriff Darren Weekly said. “I want to personally recognize my brave deputies who risked their lives to end Williamson’s crime spree. This is a testament to their courage and commitment to keeping Douglas County safe.”
The officer-involved shooting aspect of this investigation was conducted by the 18th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The investigation ultimately found the actions of all law enforcement officers were justified.
“While some defendants put in effort to make good decisions and change their behavior after their release from prison, this defendant chose to engage in more crime,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “I commend our law enforcement partners in Douglas County and Thornton for risking their lives to apprehend a dangerous felon.”
