Firefighter Lt. Dwain Williams, a 65-year-old retired African American male from Chicago, IL, tragically lost his life on December 3, 2020, during an attempted carjacking. Lt. Williams, who had dedicated 28 years to the Chicago Fire Department, was leaving his favorite popcorn store, Let's Get Poppin, in the Morgan Park neighborhood when he was confronted by four individuals. As he walked to his Jeep, a stolen sedan pulled up, and the assailants, all teenagers, attempted to carjack him. Lt.
Williams, who was legally armed, exchanged gunfire with the attackers but was struck in the abdomen and later succumbed to his injuries at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
The investigation into Lt. Williams' murder led to the arrest of four suspects. Devin Barron, Dwain Johnson, Jaylen Saulsberry, and a juvenile named David Williams were charged in connection with the crime. The case was notable for its rare triple jury trial, where each defendant was assigned a separate jury to allow for different defenses without the need for multiple independent trials. During the trial, it was revealed that the suspects had planned the carjacking and followed Lt. Williams to the popcorn store. Surveillance footage captured the swift and violent encounter.
Dwain Johnson, one of the suspects, took a plea deal, pleading guilty to aggravated battery and agreeing to testify against his co-defendants. David Williams, the juvenile involved, also accepted a plea deal and testified during the trial. The juries found Devin Barron and Jaylen Saulsberry guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated attempted vehicular hijacking, aggravated battery, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Both men received lengthy prison sentences, with Barron sentenced to 40 years for the murder plus a 20-year enhancement for using a firearm, and Saulsberry sentenced to 65 years.
The tragic death of Lt. Dwain Williams highlighted the dangers faced by even retired first responders and underscored the ongoing issue of violent crime in Chicago. The legal proceedings brought some measure of justice for Lt. Williams and his family, but the loss of a dedicated public servant and beloved community member was deeply felt.
