Devon Williams, a 27-year-old African American man, was shot and killed on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, at the intersection of 21st and Edgemont in Chester, Pennsylvania. Williams was the son of the Rev. Calvin Williams of the Temple of Brotherly Love in Chester and was described by those who knew him as kind-hearted and dedicated to his family and community.
Following the shooting, authorities released a surveillance photo to the media, which led to the arrest of 23-year-old Tahmir Craig
of Chester. Craig was charged with Williams' murder and spent 10 months in jail. However, with the assistance of the FBI, the District Attorney's office later determined that the shooter in the surveillance footage was significantly taller than Craig. As a result of this finding, Tahmir Craig was exonerated and released from custody.
The District Attorney, Jack Whelan, issued a public apology to Craig and his family for the wrongful arrest. The case was further complicated by the death of Craig's alibi witness, Jamar Jones, in a car crash shortly after the shooting. Despite the initial arrest, the murder of Devon Williams remains unsolved. The investigation has been hampered by a lack of eyewitnesses and the recantation of initial witness statements. Authorities are still searching for the individual responsible for Williams' death, and his family and community continue to await justice.
