BLAKEMORE, MEEKER & BOWLER CO., L.P.A.

495 PORTAGE LAKES DR., AKRON, OH 44319

TELEPHONE: (330) 253-3337 FAX: (330) 253-4131 ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Website: bmblaw.com ROBERT W. BLAKEMORE
(1926-2003)
ROBERT C. MEEKER
MICHAEL B. BOWLER
RICHARD V. ZURZ
BEN T. MANAYAN, JR.
COLIN G. MEEKER
BLAISE R. MEEKER
FREELAND D. OLIVERIO

TO: LORI STEINECK, CANTON REPOSITORY

FROM: BLAKEMORE, MEEKER & BOWLER CO., L.P.A.

DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2022

RE: PRESS RELEASE: IDENTIFICATION OF OFFICER ROBERT A. HUBER

On behalf of Marquetta Williams, as well as the entire Williams family, we have learned that the
City of Canton has released the name of the police officer involved in the killing of James
Williams on January 1, 2022, as Robert A. Huber. The Williams family has now retained
Attorneys Robert C. Meeker, Colin G. Meeker, and Blaise R. Meeker of Blakemore, Meeker &
Bowler Co., L.P.A. with holding Officer Huber, as well as the rest of the Canton Police
Department and the City of Canton, accountable for James’ death.

While we are pleased that Officer Huber’s name was released, we question the transparency of
the City of Canton, especially its Law Director, Kristen Bates Aylward. 39 days passed since
James was shot and killed by Officer Huber; his identity should have been released via the City’s
incident report 39 days ago. If this is what the Williams family and Canton community can
expect from their local government, then we question the sincerity of the City’s handling of this
matter, including the involvement of the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ohio Bureau
of Criminal Investigation. The Williams family demands a fair, impartial, and unbiased
investigation into the killing of James Williams.

We are aware that the City of Canton has attempted to implement the “8 Can’t Wait” standards
for use by their police department. These policies require de-escalation, a warning before
shooting, and an exhaustion of all alternatives before shooting. The City of Canton’s code of
conduct for Officer Huber’s use of force required him to use force “only with the greatest
restraint and only after discussion, negotiation, and persuasion have been found to be
inappropriate or ineffective.” Here, Officer Huber attempted no de-escalation; he provided no
warning before shooting, and instead of exhausting all alternatives, Officer Huber simply shot
James Williams without provocation.
On January 1, 2022, at 11:37 PM, the Canton Police Department was dispatched to 1810 10th St
NE in Canton due to a report that an individual was repeatedly discharging a shotgun in
celebration of New Year’s (Incident # 22-00019). The suspect was identified as a white female.
The Canton Police Department cleared this incident without using deadly force. However,
roughly three miles away at the Williams’ residence, when James Williams celebrated New
Year’s by firing a gun, he was shot and killed. The Williams family wishes to know how these
two incidents could be handled so differently; they wish to know why James had to die while the
white female down 10th Street walked away with her life; the incident report was unclear whether
that suspect was even criminally charged.

The Williams family is hopeful that after the conclusion of Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal
Investigation’s report into the matter, that the Stark County Prosecutor reaches the conclusion
that Officer Huber acted unreasonably, recklessly, wantonly, wilfully, knowingly, intentionally,
and with deliberate indifference to the safety and rights of James Williams. With the release of
the officer’s name, the Williams family intends on filing a lawsuit against Officer Huber, the
Canton Police Department, and the City of Canton for the violation of Mr. Williams’ civil rights
and wrongful death.

Should any members of the Canton community have any information regarding the death of
James Williams, we would ask that you contact the attorneys at Blakemore, Meeker & Bowler
Co., L.P.A. at (330) 253-3337.