Man charged with killing WWJ anchor, attacking family with hammer

Detroit Free Press

Chesterfield Township police announced charges Monday against a man suspected of killing WWJ-AM anchor Jim Matthews with a hammer and injuring three others, including children, before attempting to kill himself.

Arthur Williamson, 54, of Pontiac, is charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder, one count of felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder and three counts of unlawful imprisonment.

Macomb County prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said additional charges may be filed as more evidence is collected.

"There's limited clarity at this point," Lucido said.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido speaks during a press conference at the Chesterfield Township Police Department on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Arthur Williamson, 54, of Pontiac, is being charged in the killing of a WWJ-AM anchor and the assault of four people during a domestic situation in Chesterfield Township that ended with the attacker trying to kill himself, police said.

Williamson is accused of attacking Matthews, 57, with a hammer along with his 35-year-old girlfriend and two young children at a home in the 33000 block of Bayview Drive before before attempting to kill himself Friday. He was discovered by police in the basement of the home, suffering from self-inflicted wounds and an apparent overdose.

Matthews' girlfriend and their 10-year old son remained hospitalized Monday.

The woman is in stable condition, and the 10-year-old was in critical but stable condition, according to Chesterfield Township Police Chief Brian Bassett. Police said the boy had been found in a closet, bound and suffering from blunt-force trauma.

A second child, a 5-year-old girl, has been released from the hospital, Bassett said.

Police called the attack a domestic situation and said Williamson was known to the victims, however police did not disclose Williamson's relationship to the family.

Bassett said Williamson arrived at the home sometime in the middle of the night, and was welcomed into the home. Matthews arrived around 6 a.m. Friday, Bassett said. Police were called to the home around noon after the woman escaped with her 5-year-old daughter and a motorist stopped, assisted them and called 911.

Bassett said the mother was suffering stab wounds, and responding police and fire crews began to render aid. Bassett said the girl had some injuries, but he declined to release further specifics.

"We're doing our best to establish the timeline," Bassett said. "We don't have a lot of the details, we're still working with that. As I've said, for the family's privacy and healing, we're trying to work with them as best they can. But obviously their medical care needs to be a priority."

Matthews was an overnight anchor at WWJ-AM for nearly seven years.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Jim Matthews was killed Friday afternoon in Chesterfield Township. Matthews worked as an overnight news anchor for nearly seven years. He would often talk to co-workers about his children and his love for them and their adventures at school.

“He would often talk to co-workers about his children and his love for them and their adventures at school,” the radio station said in a report.

“He was a consummate professional and was dedicated to WWJ and the broadcasting industry. He loved delivering the latest news to his listeners,” according to the radio station. “There have been many tears shed in our newsroom this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim’s family and friends.”