Shantell Denise Williams, a 42-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on March 14, 2017, in Wilmington, North Carolina. The circumstances surrounding her death were deeply distressing and involved a history of domestic violence. On that fateful day, Shantell was standing in the 1600 block of Dock Street when she was approached by her estranged boyfriend, Joseph Cornell Corbett III.
Corbett, who was 37 years old at the time, opened fire on Shantell, causing her to run from her assailant. Despite her efforts to escape, Corbett chased her on foot, shooting at her at least six times. Witnesses reported that after Shantell fell, Corbett stood over her and fired at least one more shot before fleeing the scene in a gold-and-silver, four-door sedan. Shantell was pronounced dead at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
The relationship between Shantell and Corbett had been volatile and marked by violence. Records and those who knew the couple suggested a history of domestic violence that preceded the shooting. In fact, Shantell had been scheduled to appear in court the week of the shooting on charges of assault with a deadly weapon with serious injury in connection with an incident involving Corbett on February 27, 2017. Corbett had also filed a restraining order against Shantell, claiming she had shot him on two separate occasions. Additionally, in May 2016, during one of their splits, Shantell found Corbett hiding under her sink with a gun. A shootout erupted between Corbett and Shantell's cousin, resulting in both men being critically injured and undergoing emergency surgery. Charges were never filed in that case, and the couple eventually reconciled.
Following the tragic incident on March 14, 2017, Joseph Cornell Corbett III was sought on a first-degree murder warrant. He was arrested about 1 a.m. on March 16, 2017, in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Corbett was later found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Shantell Denise Williams. Before a New Hanover County jury found Corbett guilty on the murder charge, he had also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. Corbett was sentenced to between 37 and 42 years in prison.
The case of Shantell Denise Williams highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the tragic consequences it can have. Her death serves as a somber reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing domestic violence in our communities.
