Merced deputies looking for man who pointed gun at wife

Merced County sheriff’s deputies asked for help Wednesday in finding a Turlock man alleged to have threatened to kill his wife during a dispute just outside of Merced.

Around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday a woman told dispatchers her husband pointed a handgun at her, threatening to kill her, as they drove on Lake Road, just outside of UC Merced, sheriff’s deputies said.

The 22-year-old Turlock woman told deputies her husband, William Harris, 25, made the threat after she picked him up from the campus to sign divorce papers. Deputies said Williams is a construction contractor who is working on the university campus.

The woman told deputies she heard Williams cock a gun before he pointed it at her, preparing to shoot her while she was driving.

He tried to grab the woman as she escaped the car but she was able to free herself and flee, deputies said. Williams left the area in the car, which deputies later found abandoned.

Deputies searched the area, using tracking dogs, but were unable to locate Williams.

Authorities said they believe Williams is armed with a handgun and is considered dangerous. He as described as a medium build, 5-feet-10-inch tall white man with a shaved head and “pork chop sideburns.” He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt and camouflage pants.

Deputies asked that anyone with information on his whereabouts dial 911. Authorities said residents should not confront Williams.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Merced deputies looking for man who pointed gun at wife."