UPDATE: Video released in alleged kidnapping of Macon murder suspect from front yard

A Macon man accused of murder in a 2021 gas station shooting was kidnapped Sunday night a day before he was scheduled to appear in court, officials said.

Christian Demond Williams, 23, was due to appear in court Monday for a murder charge, according to a statement from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrested Williams in 2021 and charged him in the killing of Gregory Lamar Watkins, 27, at a gas station.

As Williams walked up to his house Sunday night just after 11:30 p.m., camera footage showed two people dressed in black approach him, the sheriff’s office said. The two people dragged Williams from the porch and out of his yard.

Bibb sheriff’s deputies requested help locating Williams and the kidnappers. He was last seen wearing all-dark clothing and a red cap.

Bibb DA Anita Howard noted in a release that Williams is dangerous, and officials are trying to determine whether he was actually kidnapped, or if he is on the run.

“At this time, we are very concerned about the safety of Mr. Williams and the safety of the community,” Howard said. “Mr. Williams has displayed dangerous behavior in the past, and we believe he and whomever he may be with — voluntarily or against his will — are a risk to the community.

“We are trying to determine if this incident is a kidnapping or if Mr. Williams is on the run. Either way, we need to get Mr. Williams back in custody for his own safety and the safety of the community.”

Murder charge

The shooting happened at a Chevron gas mart on Emery Highway about a block east of Coliseum Drive in April of 2021. Williams allegedly entered the store and yelled at Watkins, then fired several shots. Watkins later died at a local hospital.

Williams was granted bond in December 2021, but a motion to revoke his bond was filed Thursday, court documents show.

This story was originally published March 6, 2023 at 5:28 PM.