In the afternoon of February 7, 2021, a burst of violence shattered the quiet of a residential community in southeast Shelby County, leaving a young man's life cut tragically short. Preston Williams, an 18-year-old Black male from Memphis, Tennessee, was fatally shot at the Ashland Lakes Apartments, located in the 5500 block of Shakespeare Drive. The incident, which occurred around 2:15 p.m., prompted a swift response from law enforcement.
When Shelby County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered Preston Williams suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate attention, he was pronounced dead at the location. The Sheriff's Office quickly launched a homicide investigation into the shooting, canvassing the area for evidence and seeking to piece together the events that led to the fatal encounter.
In the days and weeks that followed, the investigation into Preston Williams's death continued, yet yielded no immediate arrests. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects in connection with the murder. The case remains an open and active investigation. Law enforcement has urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers, hoping that a tip from the community might provide the breakthrough needed to bring justice for Preston Williams and his grieving family.
