Defendant On The Run For Over A Year Apprehended And Indicted For Murder

Posted on 3/24/2011

Defendant: Antwan Gripper

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Antwan Gripper, age 22, for one unclassified count of Aggravated Murder with Specification, one unclassified count of Murder with Specification, and one count Having a Weapon While under Disability (F-3), for a total of 3 counts, in connection to the March 8, 2010 murder of Willie Williams, age 22. Williams had arrived in Columbus earlier that day via bus from Gary, Indiana, and had come to Columbus to visit family. A group of three had accused the victim of being in a rival gang based on the color of his shirt. After an argument occurred shortly thereafter the defendant appeared in the area and opened fire on the victim. On March 13, 2011 around 4:00 pm, Gripper was arrested without incident in Columbus following a traffic stop. Arraignment of Antwan Gripper is set for this Friday, March 25, 2011 at 1:30 pm in courtroom 1A.