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Kevin Williams

Kevin Andrew Williams was a Black American professional counselor and member of The Survivors from West Baltimore. During the June 2019 police-violence incident, Officer Rodriguez pointed a service weapon at the unarmed sixteen-year-old while Kevin was helping Marcus Henderson through a mental-health crisis. Kevin developed PTSD after the incident, which later influenced his pursuit of trauma-focused counseling.

Early Life and the Survivors

Kevin was born on May 5, 2003, and grew up in West Baltimore.

Kevin knew Marcus, Darnell Taylor, Tre Martin, and Jamal Thompson from childhood through the West Baltimore Recreation Center. The five friends later became known collectively as the Survivors.

Summer 2014 Recreation Center Crisis

Main article: Summer 2014 MJ Assault Crisis

Kevin and the other boys had been pressing recreation-center volunteers to include Marcus before Kelsey Morrison arrived. Kevin suggested bringing art supplies to Marcus while he rested rather than leaving him without company or activity.

After Shanice assaulted Marcus, Kevin knelt beside his friend, reassured him, and held a water bottle while Marcus drank.

June 2019 Police-Violence Incident

Main article: June 2019 Police Violence Incident - Event

On June 15, 2019, Marcus experienced a manic episode with psychotic features and climbed onto a roof. Kevin, Darnell, Tre, and Jamal attempted to help him before and during the police response.

When Kevin tried to remain with Marcus, Officer Rodriguez pointed a service weapon at Kevin’s chest. Kevin was sixteen, unarmed, and not threatening anyone. Darnell and Tre pulled him out of the line of fire. Video of the incident later received approximately 6.8 million views.

PTSD and Recovery

Kevin developed PTSD after the 2019 incident. Police presence, firearms, and sudden loud sounds remained triggers, and he pursued treatment.

Education and Career

Main article: Kevin Williams (Career and Legacy)

Kevin completed a master’s degree in counseling, practiced first as a Maryland Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor, and later became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor after supervised clinical practice. He worked as a trauma therapist at the West Baltimore Community Mental Health Center. His practice focused on survivors of police violence, racial trauma, PTSD, LGBTQ+-affirming care, and grief and bereavement. His professional website documented his services, clinical approaches, selective self-disclosure, and sliding-scale fees.

Relationship with Darnell Taylor

Main article: Darnell Taylor and Kevin Williams

Kevin and Darnell were childhood friends. During the 2019 incident, Darnell and Tre pulled Kevin away from Rodriguez’s weapon. Kevin and Darnell’s friendship became romantic on New Year’s Eve 2025–2026.

Darnell later joined the Baltimore Police Department. His profession complicated the relationship because of Kevin’s police-related PTSD.

Family and Friendships

Kevin’s parents were Stephanie “Steph” Williams and Derek Williams. Derek died of leukemia when Kevin was thirteen. That loss later informed Kevin’s grief-and-bereavement work.

Kevin remained close to Marcus, Darnell, Tre, and Jamal into adulthood. The Survivors maintained contact across their different careers and were reunited during the November 2026 Camp Pendleton crisis.

Memorable Quotes

“Nah, you ain’t got nothing to be sorry for. She does though.”

Kevin reassured Marcus after Shanice assaulted him.

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