A man who died in a shooting between multiple people inside a Chandler apartment had spent nearly 20 years in prison for an armed robbery, but police have yet to reveal his connection to the men inside the apartment where he showed up late Thursday.
About 8 p.m., police responded to the scene and discovered that William Hammond, 48, had died in the shooting that left at least one of three others, a 24-year-old man, seriously injured at the Laguna Village Apartments in the 100 block of North Nopal near Arizona Avenue and Elliot Road, according to Chandler police.
On Sept. 30, 1991, Hammond had committed an armed robbery in Cochise County, a crime in which he was sentenced to 21 years in prison, according to Arizona Department of Corrections records.
Hammond, who was released from prison in May, 2010, spent nearly 18 years in prison for the crime. During his time in prison, Hammond committed 17 disciplinary infractions ranging from drug possession to extortion and theft, according to prison records.
It's not clear where Hammond lived or why he showed up at the apartment. For some reason, the occupants and Hammond started shooting at each other. It's not clear who fired first.
The investigation is ongoing.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6533 or msakal@evtrib.com
Juggernaut8000 posted at 3:54 pm on Fri, Oct 26, 2012.
Great to hear one less sc umbag on the streets.
loose stool posted at 3:40 am on Sat, Oct 27, 2012.
I love happy endings
k33j88 posted at 6:17 am on Sat, Oct 27, 2012.
Justice is finally served.
AZmoon posted at 9:41 am on Sat, Oct 27, 2012.
[beam] . I am raising my cup in celebration to the tax money just saved by not having to send this felon back to jail. Also, for the others involved.....either a chance of really bad luck or guilt by association. You are who you hang with.
Oh, and thanks for putting all the other neighbors lives in danger. There are plots of land out in the desert you can move to so you are not near the good citizens of this state.
I only hope that Mr. Good for Nothing did not die instantly and was able to suffer a bit before our state was cleansed of his remnants.
cathypatzke posted at 3:21 pm on Mon, Oct 29, 2012.
First of all let me correct you, Billy (as we knew him) Hammond was NOT a scum bag. I have known him for many years, he was a friend, a father, a grandfather, someone's son and a mentor to young kids passing through the Arizona State Prison System. Billy was one of the hardest working people I had ever met.
I have my own opinions of what happened on that fateful night and I would lay money on the fact that my friend died protecting someone. I hate the fact that other people besides my friend were hurt in this situation. Something is wrong with the picture, not one person that I have talked with has ever known Billy to carry a gun, he drank very little and did not use drugs. I also know my friend would never intentionally put an innocent person in jeapordy.
I won't judge you for what you think you know of my friend. But know your comments hurt many people deeply. I swallowed hard and tried not to cry because my friend would not have wanted that.
I do, however, beg you to know all of the facts before you judge someone. I respectfully say your opinions about this man are wrong.
Bmed1101 posted at 5:49 pm on Mon, Nov 5, 2012.
You are right Cathy. I knew billy for many years and I gotta say he was one of the most respectful and caring people I ever met. Anywhere, especially in adc. The world is a lesser place without him in it. L&R to you and Scott.