In the spring of 2021, the life of Gene “Coochie” Ray Williams Jr., a 43-year-old male, was tragically cut short in Orangeburg, South Carolina. On May 11, Williams was a victim of gun violence in an incident that also claimed the life of 41-year-old Mark Alan Smith. Another individual was injured in the shooting.
At the time of his death, Williams was a lineman, a profession he had dedicated twenty-two years to with Ertell Construction and Storm Relief.
He was a father to eight daughters and a grandfather. Born on March 27, 1978, he was the eldest son of Gene Williams Sr. and Carolyn Hoover Williams.
In the aftermath of the double homicide, the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the shootings. Authorities have not publicly released information regarding a motive for the killings.
To date, specific details concerning any arrests or the identification of any suspects directly connected to the deaths of Gene Ray Williams Jr. and Mark Alan Smith have not been disclosed to the public. The investigation into the double homicide is considered to be ongoing, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing those responsible to justice.
