Prior assault case between courthouse shooting suspect and victim

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Court papers say the El Paso County courthouse shooting suspect previously accused the shooting victim of assault, and both of them have lengthy criminal records.

Last Thursday, the El Paso County courthouse was closed when a shooting happened on the sidewalk right outside the building at 10 a.m., a time when sidewalks are typically filled with people and Tejon Street is busy with traffic.

Court papers say shooting suspect, Shaquille Brown, was not supposed to have a gun because of his criminal record, and that a semi-automatic hand gun was found at the scene. The papers note a prior assault case between the shooting victim, William Winters, and the suspect.

Court papers for last week’s shooting at the courthouse say, Brown admitted to shooting at Winters, saying he did so for his safety. Brown claimed to investigators he had received several death threats from Winters, one as recently as this October.

Both men have lengthy pasts in Colorado’s court system.

Online records show Brown has previously been charged with theft, burglary, menacing, and weapons violations. Winters has previously faced drug charges, burglary, assault, and driving with a suspended license.

In addition to first degree murder charges, Brown is also accused of child abuse in last week’s shooting relating to Winters reportedly holding a baby carrier with a child inside when he was shot.

Brown is being held in the El Paso County Jail on a $10,000 bond at the time this story is being written, according to inmate search results.