Most of the demonstrators were members of U.R.G.E.N.T Garfield, an activist group formed in the wake of Williams' death that has since focused on a host of issues within the city, from the concern over chromium contamination near residential homes to the lawsuit against the police chief.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Williams surrendered to Garfield police on December 10, 2011 in connection with a domestic assault warrant issued the day before involving his girlfriend. Two hours later, as they were processing the complaints, Williams ran out a rear door and police eventually traced him to a residential garage in which he had barricaded himself, Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said. When officers opened the door, they found that he had “armed himself with tools,” the statement said. One Garfield officer and one Bergen County police officer fired at Williams, striking him numerous times, it said.

Garfield attorney Victor Urbaez said “there is more to this story than a young man turning himself in and then running from the authorities,” Urbaez said. “We feel there’s foul play here. We have questions that need to be answered.”