Tammie Sherice Ash, a 45-year-old resident of Panama City, Florida, tragically lost her life on January 22, 2020. The circumstances surrounding her death were both shocking and deeply saddening. According to reports, Tammie was found deceased at a FEMA camp site located at 205 Kraft Avenue, Lot 23, in Millville. The investigation revealed that her death was the result of a domestic dispute that escalated into a fatal shooting. William Briggs, who had a long-standing on-and-off relationship with Tammie spanning 15 years, was identified as the primary suspect. Investigators believe that an argument between the two led to Briggs shooting Tammie in the early hours of January 22.
The case took a significant turn when law enforcement arrested William Briggs later that day. Briggs, who had a criminal history in Gulf County, was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, felon possession of a firearm, and trafficking in MDMA (ecstasy). The investigation also implicated two other individuals, Calvin “C.J.” Peters Jr. and Venus Harris, who were charged with tampering with evidence. It was discovered that after the shooting, Peters and Harris returned to the trailer and removed items of evidentiary value without reporting the death to authorities. This act of tampering further complicated the case and led to additional charges against them.
The legal proceedings that followed saw William Briggs entering a no-contest plea to the charges against him. On January 21, 2021, Circuit Judge Ana Garcia sentenced Briggs to 40 years in the Department of Corrections, with the first 25 years to be served without the possibility of gain time. This sentence was a culmination of the evidence presented, which clearly established Briggs' culpability in the murder of Tammie Sherice Ash. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Mark E. Graham, who ensured that justice was served for Tammie's untimely death.
Throughout the investigation, law enforcement agencies, including the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Beach Police Department, worked diligently to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The case was marked by its complexity, involving multiple individuals and potential narcotic activities at the trailer site. Despite these challenges, the authorities remained confident in their findings and the eventual conviction of William Briggs. The tragic death of Tammie Sherice Ash serves as a somber reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in such situations.
