DeKalb DA explains why no criminal charges were filed in the police shooting death of Matthew Zadok Williams

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston in the WABE studio during a 2018 appearance on “Closer Look.” (WABE)

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that no criminal charges will be filed against any of the officers involved in the police shooting death of Matthew Zadok Williams.

Williams was shot and killed inside his home in April of 2021 by DeKalb police officers after authorities said he lunged at officers with a knife. Williams’ family says the 35-year-old was having a mental episode.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that no criminal charges will be filed against any of the officers involved in the police shooting death of Matthew Zadok Williams. (Photo courtesy of Mathew Zadok Williams’ family)

On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,”  DA Boston talked with program host Rose Scott about her office’s investigation of the case and the grounds when an officer can use deadly force.



During the conversation, Boston admitted that it was hard to review the audio from the officers’ body camera.

“I had to look at it and say, ‘but did anybody do anything criminal, and the answer was no, under the law, and that’s what, that’s the only thing I could base it on,” said Boston.