Katt Williams' security guard, Tranell Williams, is speaking publicly for the first time about the night he fatally shot comedian Reggie Carroll.
Tranell shared a video with Fox 13 Memphis he recorded in the moments leading up to the fatal encounter. He says the footage shows 52-year-old Carroll making repeated threats and waving a gun.
“If someone is showing signs that they are irresponsible with a firearm, if they're constantly making threats with a firearm, we have to intervene early or that will gradually grow with a snowball effect and grow into a bigger problem," the 38-year-old said at the 1:28 mark in the video linked above.
Tranell says the confrontation at his Southaven, Mississippi home on August 20 escalated when Carroll pointed a gun at him and blocked the door.
"When I grabbed the weapon that was close by and used it for self-defense and called the police immediately, I was honestly in fear for my life," he recalled.
Fox 13 Memphis reports that District Attorney Matthew Barton confirmed Carroll was killed with a shotgun.
Tranell, who lived in a home leased by a company owned by Katt Williams, says he was working around-the-clock security for the comedian and had already documented what he described as increasingly violent behavior from Carroll, who had moved into the residence during a break in the tour.
"From previous experiences, l've already been watching this guy build his confidence up. I've already reported him on several occasions that he's pointing a gun at me, and since he's not being punished, there was nothing to deter him from constantly doing that," he said.
TMZ reported in August that Carroll died after officers found him with gunshot wounds and that first responders were unable to save him. Fox 13 Memphis later reported that Southaven Police identified Tranell as the suspect, who was taken into custody and charged with murder.
Carroll was a Maryland native known for BET's ComicView and his longstanding friendship with Mo'Nique. He had most recently been touring with Katt Williams.
Tranell is now out on bond and wearing an ankle monitor. He maintains that the shooting was self-defense.
The case has not yet been presented to a grand jury.