Family sues city, police

HANAHAN — A local family is suing city and police officials for wrongfully searching their apartment, claiming that authorities should have known it was the wrong place.

Tina Williams' suit was filed in response to a December 2007 search where police entered her apartment looking for an Hispanic man sought in a murder investigation.

The Williams family, which includes three children, is black and contends that police were not diligent before they broke open the door.

At the time of the search, Williams' 15-year-old daughter reported that she didn't have a chance to respond before officers burst into the family's Willard Drive apartment.

The officers were looking for a suspect in the fatal shooting six hours earlier of a 23-year-old Hispanic man at a Remount Road bar known as the OK Corral.

Police obtained a search warrant for the Williams' apartment after a witness told them that a suspect lived inside, reports said at the time.

The information turned out to be incorrect.

Family members said they were held at gunpoint by police. An officer asked Tina Williams if she knew any Hispanic males, but Williams was baffled by the question.

Police later said they had received bad information and reportedly apologized to the Williams family for the error.

The lawsuit, filed in the Berkeley County Courthouse this month, seeks unspecified actual and punitive damages. It contends that police continued to search through drawers, cabinets and other storage areas even after determining that the family had no Hispanic roommates.

The suit also contends that a promise to repair the damaged door went unfulfilled.

An attorney for the Williams family said police should have adequately investigated their target before barging in.

"They had plenty of reason to know that wasn't the right apartment," attorney Brian Duffy said. "This is a nightmare for anyone and even more horrific for children, and for parents watching their children experiencing it."

Hanahan Police Chief Don Wilcox said he could not comment on the matter while it is in litigation.

Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.