The woman who police say flashed a pellet gun and, in turn, disrupted the finish of this year's Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon appeared in court Monday with the support of friends who said she needed mental help, not prison time.
Mona Elease Williams, 58, wore a green jumpsuit and sweater as she appeared on charges of resisting an officer by force with personal use of a dangerous weapon and one count of hit and run.
She has pleaded not guilty and faces decades behind bars if she's convicted.
Outside court Monday, two of Williams supporters told NBC 7 said she needs support.
"I don’t think they should give her time," Charisse Brown said. "They should give her counseling or whatever it is she needs to be supportive of what she’s going through because she’s obviously going through some things."
Williams sat in silence as prosecutors detailed the case against her for the incident at the parking garage two blocks from the marathon's finish line.
San Diego police officers confronted Williams near the City Hall Parkade after 11 a.m. as thousands of runners and spectators filled the streets downtown on June 3.
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An officer investigating a hit-and-run collision at West A Street and Kettner approached Williams in a vehicle and spotted a weapon.
Police say Williams was armed with a pellet gun prompting them to initiate an active shooter protocol, which shut down the marathon temporarily.
Close to 5,000 athletes were moved to a designated "safe zone," according to race officials.
Another officer fired two shots at Williams, missing her. One SDPD officer was injured in the leg when he misfired his own weapon, officials said.
Williams eventually dropped the weapon near A Street and 2nd Avenue. Soon after, she was taken into custody without incident.
The marathon resumed shortly after with no athletes injured.
