In the early morning hours of December 20, 2022, the life of 22-year-old William D. Willis of Sevierville, Tennessee, was tragically cut short. Inside a home on Jersey Drive in the northern part of the city, Willis was fatally wounded by a single gunshot. The incident, which occurred around 1:00 a.m., prompted a swift response from the Sevier County Sheriff's Office.
Upon their arrival, deputies discovered Willis deceased.
The preliminary investigation quickly pointed to a suspect who was not only a resident of the same home but also a relative of the victim. A juvenile family member was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
Authorities charged the juvenile with reckless homicide and transported them to the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Facility. Due to state laws protecting the identity of minors, the name of the suspect has not been publicly released. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing. An obituary described Willis as a 'precious son, brother, grandson, and friend' who was loved by many.
