Support Victim of Police Terror

“Fifty-seven seconds is all it took to plunge Tiffanie and Lanzell Williams into a nightmare they're still struggling to fight their way out of two years later.” - Johnny Magdaleno, Indianapolis Star

This GoFundMe is in support of Tiffanie Williams.

Students and community advocates planned a rally on August 22 against Ball State University Police Department Officer Michael Conner for his role in a violent incident involving an Eaton couple in their home in July 2020.

The Ball State Police Department hired Michael Conner in early August of last year, according to a post made by the department on August 7th. This is despite knowing Officer Conner's central involvement in this severe incident of police and prosecutorial misconduct, which has resulted in irreparable harm to the community members caught at the center of their terror.

Five years ago, on July 17th, while employed with the Eaton Police Department, Michael Conner entered the home of Tiffanie and Lanzel Williams of Eaton, Indiana along with multiple other officers— without announcing themselves, without a warrant, and without probable cause.

Video evidence from Officer Conner's body camera shows he and other officers grabbed Ms Williams and pinned her on the ground, then they arrested her and her husband. Ms. Williams sustained multiple injuries during the arrest and detainment.

Eaton police were there to investigate an alleged violation of a protective order, but video evidence would later show that there was no violation. The couple was erroneously charged with multiple crimes despite the illegal actions taken against them by the police. In 2023, the Prosecutor’s Office dropped the two felony charges it had levied against Lanzel Williams, and a year later, the criminal case against Tiffanie Williams was dropped as well. The city of Eaton even attempted a frivolous civil lawsuit against Ms Williams for her social media posts decrying the terrifying attack and sharing the body camera footage of the incident, but it was also dismissed early last year.

This case drew significant national attention and was reported multiple times by local outlets like IndyStar and the Star Press. This, however, did not deter Ball State University from hiring Officer Conner and praising his resume on August 7th. This is not surprising given the justice system's reliance on police terror and denial of due process. Unsurprisingly, there is a disturbing and violent culture that surrounds law enforcement. One example is the wife of Ball State Police Officer Mr. Markus Workman, who made multiple derogatory comments regarding the incident in a lengthy Facebook post laced with threats.

“I hope the next video I see of you [Tiffanie] is a video where someone is busting you in your mouth…Good thing I am not a police officer because I would have lost my job that day…Your ass would have gotten throat punched,” Karen Workman said. “These officers need a raise.”

These highly inflammatory comments are only snippets of the online harassment the Williams have faced after enduring the unjust arrest, detainment, and litigation. The unannounced and warrantless entry into their home is deeply reminiscent of current ICE terror raids targeting immigrant communities all over the country, but also demonstrates how confident local law enforcement is in making such severe violations of due process; they felt no need to explain or identify themselves as they barged into a private residence with no legal justification. They know friendly public officials like Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman won’t lift a finger when they break the law or ruin people's lives.

The Williams have sustained significant financial and emotional hardship because of the incident. The family has had to flee the county because of the harassment levied against them and the high costs of multiple lengthy litigations. This severe miscarriage of justice has gone on far too long; the university must refuse all complicity in illegal police terror, past and present.

“My Grandfather spent over 30 years as a professor at Ball State University. He dedicated his life to research, and education, even leaving behind a financial contribution that still supports the university today. His work is still part of the curriculum,” Tiffanie Williams said. “Because of his legacy, it's heartbreaking to see Ball State allow someone like Officer Michael Conner to remain on campus. The courts have made it clear: Michael Conner and the officers lied.”

Students and community advocates demand that Ball State University immediately terminate Michael Conner for his role in this violent incident and condemn the law enforcement terror that is surging across the nation. It is up to working people to hold public institutions and law enforcement accountable and organize for a future secure from police terror. Please donate, support victims of police terror and all political prisoners.