By By Stephanie Dearing Oct 12, 2010 in Crime Seattle - It was August 30, and a 50 year old Aboriginal artist was crossing a road in Seattle. Within a minute, all that changed after John T. Williams was shot four times by a police officer. Seattle Police say Birk had seen the knife in Williams' hand, and ordered Williams to drop the knife three times. When Williams refused, Birk shot Williams. The folding knife, used by Williams for his carving, had a three-inch blade, but was legal. Seattle police insist the knife is considered to be a deadly weapon. The entire incident occurred within the time frame of one minute, and an unknown portion of the incident was captured by Birk's police car video camera. The footage of the incident has not been released to the public. In a "Williams was crippled with arthritis and hobbled more than he walked. He was capable at most of turning towards the officer when he heard him shouting, to show him what he had in his hands." Following Williams' death on August 30, people gathered at the corner where he was shot. A later Those upset over Williams' death had also lobbied the City of Seattle for action, In response, the City issued a "In response to hundreds of inquiries, the Energy, Technology and Civil Rights Committee will host a discussion with Seattle's Office for Civil Rights and the Seattle Human Rights Commission on Wednesday September 15th. The discussion will focus on educating the public on the current process after an officer-involved shooting, how these incidents can be prevented, and what issues are raised when the incidents occur." An autopsy conducted on Williams was completed, and the findings were to remain confidential, reported "There's nothing looking like he was facing toward him [the police officer]. It was all right side. ... Where is the threat?" Ford provided the Seattle Times with a portion of the On Monday, the "... King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg recommended the inquest after his office reviewed investigative materials from the Seattle Police Department. Inquests are fact-finding hearings conducted before a six-member jury. They are routinely called to determine the causes and circumstances of any death involving a member of any law enforcement agency within King County while in the performance of his or her duties. Inquests provide transparency into law enforcement actions so the public may have all the facts in a case established in a court of law. The ordering of an inquest should carry no other implication." Williams is from Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations, British Columbia, but lived in Seattle. The blog, "... We, the undersigned Deaf community, are outraged that the police could be so callous and careless in shooting a man four times after he did not respond to their calls. We demand the Seattle Police Department looks into the John T. Williams murder case and re-evaluate Officer Ian Birk’s records. We, the undersigned Deaf community, call upon the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department, to consider re-training their police officers in dealing with Deaf & Hard of Hearing people in situations. We, the undersigned Deaf community, mourn the death of John T. Williams, who was an extremely talented artist, sculptor and wood carver. He was one of our own and he was one of their own. Native American leaders have called for an investigation into the murder of John T. Williams and we stand by them. We stand in solidiarity with the First Nation people and Native Americans." At the time of the deadly incident, Seattle police said there was no choice but to shoot Williams because Williams refused to obey a repeated order to drop his knife. Williams, who had been crossing Boren Avenue at Howell Street at a crosswalk, was shot four times from a distance of approximately 9 or 10 feet by Officer Ian Birk.Seattle Police say Birk had seen the knife in Williams' hand, and ordered Williams to drop the knife three times. When Williams refused, Birk shot Williams. The folding knife, used by Williams for his carving, had a three-inch blade, but was legal. Seattle police insist the knife is considered to be a deadly weapon.The entire incident occurred within the time frame of one minute, and an unknown portion of the incident was captured by Birk's police car video camera. The footage of the incident has not been released to the public.In a press conference held the following day, the Chief of Police, John Diaz, promised to complete a thorough and transparent investigation into Williams' death. Indian Country Today reported that the public was outraged by the shooting death. A spokesperson from the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation who knew Williams told Indian Country TodayFollowing Williams' death on August 30, people gathered at the corner where he was shot. A later public protest was held on September 16 in Seattle, which drew hundreds of people. There were also gatherings held to honour Williams' life.Those upset over Williams' death had also lobbied the City of Seattle for action, In response, the City issued a press release in September announcing a public discussion of the shooting, sayingAn autopsy conducted on Williams was completed, and the findings were to remain confidential, reported Seattle Post Intelligencer . However, the lawyer representing Williams' family, Tim Ford, said the autopsy showed Williams was shot four times in the side, reported the Seattle Times . During an interview with the Seattle Times, Ford saidFord provided the Seattle Times with a portion of the autopsy report , which they posted on their website. The coroner declared Williams' death to be a homicide.On Monday, the King County Executive ordered an inquest into Williams' death. The inquest was called becauseWilliams is from Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations, British Columbia, but lived in Seattle. The blog, Art & Politics described Williams as a 7th generation wood carver who had lived on the streets from an early age. Williams was an alcoholic, and was said to be deaf in one ear. His family was said to be well known in Seattle for the past 100 years. Katu reported that Williams was the fifth fatality that occured within a week involving the Seattle police. Go Petition has posted a summary of the incident, and asks people to sign a petition. More about John williams, Aboriginal artist, Wood carver, Seattle police, Autopsy More news from john williams aboriginal artist wood carver seattle police autopsy first nations british columbia