Marsha Ebanks-Williams, a 48-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed on September 18, 2022, in her home in DeLand, Florida. The incident also claimed the life of her 28-year-old son, Robert Adams. The fatal shooting occurred during a domestic dispute with her ex-husband, Michael D. Williams, who was 48 years old at the time. The couple had been divorced since June 2022 but continued to live together in the same house due to unresolved property issues.
On the night of the
incident, Michael Williams called 911, claiming he had shot Marsha Ebanks-Williams and Robert Adams in self-defense. When deputies arrived, they found Williams sitting in a vehicle parked in the driveway. He surrendered without incident. Inside the home, deputies discovered the bodies of Marsha Ebanks-Williams and Robert Adams. Adams' two young children, aged 5 and 6, were also present in the house but were unharmed.
The investigation revealed that the couple had ongoing disputes over domestic issues, including the electrical power to the house. On the day of the shooting, Williams had shut off the power and locked the electrical panel, which led to an argument when he returned to find that the victims had restored the power and placed a new lock on the panel. Williams claimed that during the confrontation, he was attacked and shot the victims in self-defense. However, detectives noted that Williams did not have any significant injuries that would indicate a physical altercation, other than a few superficial scratches.
Michael Williams was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm. During the trial, he testified that he acted in self-defense, but the jury found him guilty. He was subsequently sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Mark Interlicchio, and the investigation was conducted by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. The tragic incident has left a lasting impact on the family, especially on the young children who witnessed the killings.
