Kelly Williams, a 52-year-old resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, has been indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The indictment follows an armed attack that took place on January 12, 2025, in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. This was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The grand jury returned the indictment on March 12, 2025. Williams faces charges including assault with intent to kill while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, aggravated assault while armed, among other related offenses. An arraignment is set for March 27, 2025.
According to evidence presented by the government, Williams allegedly followed a tourist from New Zealand as she walked past the museum on January 12. He then approached her from behind and pulled her to the ground before punching her in the face repeatedly. During this attack, Williams reportedly brandished a knife and attempted several times to slash at her neck as she tried to defend herself. The victim sustained a serious facial wound that required approximately 40 stitches after being stabbed during the incident. The attack reportedly ceased only when bystanders intervened.
The case is under investigation by both the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel Hampton.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.