Iowa City man accused of assaulting, threatening the mother of his child with a gun while she was holding their baby

Lang
6/18/23

An Iowa City man faces charges that he assaulted the mother of his child, then threatened her with a gun while she was holding their baby.

Iowa City Police were called to a domestic disturbance at the Broadway Street apartment of 24-year-old Chico Williams just after 1:00 Saturday afternoon. Investigators determined that Williams and his alleged victim were arguing when he slapped her in the face and grabbed her around the neck while she was holding the couple’s infant child. Police say Williams then pulled out a gun while he was holding the woman against a wall by her neck and exclaimed, “What if I would have shot you?’ and “I could have killed you in front of the baby.” Williams’ three children were reportedly present for the attack, including the baby the woman was holding.

The woman reportedly had red marks around her neck, swelling above her left eye, and a headache.

Williams…who has a previous domestic abuse conviction… is charged with Domestic Abuse Assault While Displaying a Weapon, Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Airflow, 2nd Offense Domestic Abuse Assault, Dominion or Control of a Firearm By a Domestic Abuser, and Child Endangerment. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 13 years in prison.