GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A 42-year-old man has been charged in a Grand Rapids shooting that left 39-year-old Alexander Jones dead on the city’s southeast side in September. Police say Sharmarieo Williams was found in Florida, extradited back to Michigan, and returned before his arraignment on an open murder charge.
The Facts
- What: Sharmarieo Williams, 42, was charged with open murder in the fatal shooting of Alexander Jones, 39.
- Where: The shooting happened in the 2900 block of Marshall Avenue on Grand Rapids’ southeast side.
- When: The shooting happened just after midnight on Sept. 2.
- Who: Grand Rapids police identified Williams as the charged suspect and Jones as the victim.
- Charges: Open murder.
- Status: Williams was located in Florida earlier this month, extradited to Michigan, and brought back before his arraignment.
What police say
The Grand Rapids Police Department said officers found Jones at the scene after the shooting on Marshall Avenue. He was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The Kent County Medical Examiner ruled Jones’ death a homicide. Police later identified Williams as the suspect and said he was taken into custody in Florida.
Grand Rapids police said Williams was extradited to Michigan before his arraignment. Officials did not say what led investigators to him or describe the circumstances of his arrest in Florida.
The investigation
When a suspect is found in another state, investigators typically work with law enforcement there and with prosecutors to move the case back to the county where the charge was filed. Extradition is the process that allows a suspect to be transferred from one state to another to face charges.
In a homicide case, detectives often rely on witness statements, scene evidence, surveillance video, phone records, and forensic findings to build the case. Police have not publicly detailed the evidence in this case beyond the shooting location, the victim’s name, and the charge filed against Williams.
Police did not provide a tip line or say whether they are still seeking additional witnesses. In cases like this, anyone with information is usually encouraged to contact the investigating department, though no specific number was listed in the information released here.
What the charges mean
Open murder is a homicide charge that gives prosecutors room to pursue a murder conviction without specifying the exact degree at the charging stage. The final charge can depend on the evidence, the facts of the shooting, and what prosecutors believe they can prove in court.
An arraignment is the first formal court appearance after charges are filed or after a defendant is returned to the charging jurisdiction. At that hearing, the defendant is told the charge, bail or bond issues may be addressed, and the case is put on the court calendar.
If a defendant is charged with murder, the case can move through preliminary hearings, motions, plea negotiations, and, if necessary, trial. Those steps often take time, especially when the case begins with an arrest or extradition from another state.
What happens next
It was not immediately clear when Williams is expected to return to court. That timing will depend on the local schedule and any future court orders in the case.
For now, the case remains in the hands of the court system as prosecutors continue to move forward on the open murder charge.
Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
