In the spring of 2015, the life of Jamaal Terrell Williams, a 32-year-old African American man from Cartersville, Georgia, was tragically cut short. On the afternoon of March 17th, Williams was fatally shot inside an apartment on Iron Belt Court. Remembered as a devoted husband and father, his sudden death sent shockwaves through his community.
The events of that Tuesday afternoon unfolded after the Bartow County Sheriff's Office received a distressing call regarding a man armed with a gun and reportedly experiencing issues related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Upon their arrival at the apartment complex, deputies were met by a woman who had just fled the residence after hearing a gunshot. Inside, they discovered Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Floyd Medical Center, but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The individual at the center of the initial call, 32-year-old Truitt Jermaine Cousin of Cartersville, was located at the scene. Deputies described his behavior as erratic, noting that he was screaming profanities and random words. Cousin, who had recently moved to the area and had no prior criminal record with the local sheriff's office, was taken into custody.
Following an investigation into the fatal shooting, Truitt Jermaine Cousin was arrested and charged with the felony murder of Jamaal Terrell Williams. He was subsequently held at the Bartow County Jail to await a bond hearing in Superior Court. The case highlighted the potential dangers associated with untreated mental health issues and left a family and community to mourn the loss of a man remembered for his love of family, football, and old school music.
