In the early morning hours of April 7, 2018, the life of 18-year-old JaDarrius Williams was tragically cut short in Gallatin, Tennessee. The young man, a senior at Station Camp High School with his whole life ahead of him, was shot and killed inside a room at the Econo Lodge on West Main Street around 6:24 a.m. Just one month away from his high school graduation, JaDarrius was remembered by friends and classmates as a bright, smart, and funny individual who was driven and thoughtful.
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Gallatin Police Department quickly identified Jonte Bender as the suspect in the fatal shooting of Williams. Following the incident at the hotel, Bender fled, leading to a police search. The situation escalated when Bender was located, resulting in a pursuit by law enforcement. The chase concluded with Bender’s death from what authorities reported as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Friends and family were left to mourn the sudden and violent loss of a young man known for his sweet smile and quick wit. His passing sent ripples of grief through the community, with many struggling to comprehend the senseless act that took the life of a promising student on the cusp of a new chapter in his life. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting was handled by the Gallatin Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
