In the small town of Williston, South Carolina, a family tragedy unfolded, leaving a community in shock and mourning. Barbara Williams, a 45-year-old woman, was found deceased in her residence on Halford Street on May 21, 2021. Alongside her was the body of her 26-year-old son, Jerome D. Williams. Both had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the double homicide was led by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division at the
request of the Williston Police Department. The focus of the investigation quickly turned to another family member, Barbara's 28-year-old son, Brandon Antonio Williams. According to police affidavits, Brandon was present at the residence at the time of the shootings. A witness reported that shortly after the gunshots were fired, Brandon Williams was the only person in the home who was not deceased.
During the investigation, three handguns were discovered at the scene. Brandon Williams admitted to owning two of these weapons. He was arrested and charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his mother and brother. Arrest warrants stated that Brandon Williams acted 'willfully and with malice' in the killings. The motive for the tragic event was not immediately made clear to the public. This violent act occurred just a couple of months after the family had buried their patriarch, Deacon Jerome Williams, who passed away in March 2021.
Following his arrest, Brandon Williams was booked at the Barnwell County Detention Center and was denied bail. His first court appearance was scheduled for July 19, 2021, with the 2nd Circuit Solicitor's Office handling the prosecution. His criminal background was not extensive, with his most recent legal issue being a drug charge in 2013 for which he pleaded guilty and paid a fine. The case sent ripples through the tight-knit community of Williston as they grappled with the devastating loss of two of their own, allegedly at the hands of a family member.
