Five Plead Not Guilty in Death of Security Guard

Five defendants ranging in age from 15 to 20 pled not guilty in the early morning shooting on New Year's Day at CalSkate in Grand Terrace that killed security guard Richard "Big Will" Williamson and left two other men with non-life-threatening injuries. At the San Bernardino County courthouse on Jan. 7, the defendants, three of whom are minors, were each charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Gang enhancements were filed on each count, according to court records. All five pled not guilty to the charges. Judge Michael Dest set bail at $3 million each and visitation lists for the three juveniles, who are being tried as adults, in the proceeding. The media was prohibited from photographing the faces of the defendants. The defendants are scheduled to come before the judge again on Feb. 6. The shooting that killed Williamson, 48, of Riverside, occurred just before 2 a.m. New Year's Day in the parking lot of CalSkate, a roller rink hosting an all-night glow-in-the-dark New Year's Eve party with a ball drop. Approximately 400 people attended the event. San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials have been investigating the incident and have told the media they have not concluded what may have prompted the shooting. But Michael Marcoly, a trucker who was resting in his truck and witnessed the shooting - his truck was even struck by a bullet which sheriff's officials later determined belonged to Williamson as he returned fire at the suspects - said he learned the shooting took place after an argument broke out about a hat one of the suspects had been wearing and had been misplaced inside the roller rink. Marcoly said he was awoken by gunfire and when he looked out the driver's side window of his truck he witnessed Williamson returning fire on a suspect who had begun shooting at another security guard, who was grazed in the face with a bullet. Marcoly called Williamson, who was injured in the shooting and later died at a nearby hospital around 3 a.m. New Year's Day, a hero. "It would have been easy for him to duck behind a door but he continued to shoot at them. Big Will took all the focus of the gunfire on him. That's more courage than I have," Marcoly told the City News by phone last week. Since the shooting, family members, friends, employees and other community members have memorialized Williamson at the site, honoring his life and memory. In a GoFundMe page set up by Williamson's family, many who knew and did not know Williamson personally left messages of remembrance and goodwill for Williamson's wife Joycelyn, daughter Rebecca and son Nathannel. The family members also left their own words in remembrance of their husband and father. Wife Joycelyn remembered Williamson as "a family man who adored and loved his children...He enjoyed talking with people, and he always enjoyed helping others, especially children and young adults." "He was the best dad in the world," wrote daughter Rebecca. "He was and will always be my hero and he will be forever missed." Son Nathannel called Williamson his "Superman." "He would come home to his family every night to love and ensure that we were okay. He will be forever missed," said Nathannel. The family thanked others for the outpouring of support and prayers they have received. As of Jan. 8, five days after the fundraising page opened, $5,060 had been donated to the family. Investigation of the incident is still ongoing by San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials. Those with information regarding the shooting are asked to contact Det. Ryan Smith or Sgt. Jason Radeleff at 909-387-3589. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information at www.wetip.com.