Wanted Toledo murder suspect posting to Facebook

21-year-old says he’s innocent in death

2/25/2014

Rishad Williams is proclaiming — very publicly — that he’s innocent, even as he remains wanted by police for murder.

The 21-year-old suspect wrote as much on his Facebook page Tuesday.

The first of several posts went up sometime after 1 p.m. and proclaimed: “Don’t Let Yo Ears Hear What You Didn’t See Everything On Tv Ain’t Real ...With That Being Said Don’t Believe What You See && Hear Cause At The End Of The Day ... Gone Be Sick #GoodAfer-Noon.”

Mr. Williams, of 421 W. Manhattan Blvd., is one of two men charged with murder for the shooting death of Michael Williams, Jr., 24, of Toledo. Also charged is Tyrone Hoskins, Jr., 23, of 618 Woodland Ave.

Both Mr. Williams and Mr. Hoskins are affiliated with the Folks in the Belmont Avenue area of central Toledo. Neither was in custody Tuesday night.

Michael Williams, Jr., was shot in the head and a leg Feb. 2 in the 1500 block of Ottawa Drive at 4:14 a.m. Charges were filed against the duo Friday.

Police were aware Tuesday of the postings and said they were actively looking for both suspects.

Just after 3 p.m., Mr. Williams took to the Internet again, writing: “When Its All Said && DONE if you wasn’t with me you against me I SAID I AIN’T DO IT #nowWatchItPlayOut.”

A cell phone number posted on Mr. Williams’ Facebook page went to voicemail when called. Though a message seeking comment was left, Mr. Williams did not return the call.

On Monday, Mr. Williams apparently took some time to log on to his social media account to wish a good morning to two of his slain friends: “Good morning Fred & tae.”

As referenced in Mr. Williams’ good-morning message, Fred and Tae are young men who were shot and killed in Toledo in 2013 and 2012 respectively.

Fred refers to Fredrick Watson who also had claims to the Folks.

Watson, 20, was shot three times in his back June 16 while he sat in a vehicle at Avondale and Brown avenues.

Mr. Hoskins was in the vehicle with Watson at the time; Mr. Hoskins was shot “several times” in his lower torso. No charges have been filed in that shooting.

Tae refers to Deonta Allen, 19, who was shot and killed on Oct. 18, 2012. He was shot once in his back near Fernwood and Waverly avenues as he ran from the assailant.

Although Mr. Allen’s older brother, Quincy Allen, is a known gang member (and awaiting trial for murder), family and friends of the younger Allen said he did not run with the Folks.

Tra’quawn Gibson, 19, a Manor Boy, is serving life in prison for killing Mr. Allen and for shooting to death his estranged girlfriend CreJonnia Bell, 19.

Before either Mr. Hoskins or Mr. Williams became murder suspects, even before Michael Williams, Jr., was killed, Mr. Hoskins uploaded a song to the Internet promising to avenge the deaths of Deonta Allen and Watson.

The popular local song, “RIP fred&tae ‘no lies’,” has received more than 35,000 plays since it was uploaded to Sound-Cloud.com on Jan. 10.

Police are aware of the song but have declined to comment on whether “No Lies” is a reference to the death of Michael Williams, Jr.

In the song, Mr. Hoskins backs up the sentiment that Deonta Allen wasn’t in a gang and asks why, since he wasn’t involved, was he killed.

Mr. Hoskins also seems to say he has no idea who could be responsible for Watson’s death:

“Was it the Stickney? Was it a Head? Was it the ... on the East or was it Bagdad? Was it the ... on the north who claiming Kent Head? I don’t even give a ... I want all of ’em dead.”

Each of the gangs mentioned in the song is a Blood set.

Police ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Hoskins or Mr. Williams call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at tdungjen@theblade.com, or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.