A trip with friends on a Saturday afternoon in St. Louis turned tragic for Rita Williams, a 36-year-old mother of four. On February 1, 2025, Williams was riding in a car with her longtime friend and roommate, Bessie Thomas, and a third individual. An argument broke out between Williams, who was in the front passenger seat, and Thomas, who was seated in the back.
The verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation.
As Williams turned to face the backseat, Thomas produced a gun and shot her once in the head. The driver of the vehicle then drove to a QuikTrip gas station located at South Vandeventer and Chouteau avenues. Police and emergency services were called to the scene around 4:55 PM, where they found Williams inside the car, having succumbed to her injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bessie Thomas, who was 47 at the time, was arrested near the scene. She was initially charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Court documents indicated that Williams was unarmed during the incident. Thomas had a prior felony conviction from 2007 that prohibited her from legally possessing a firearm.
In a subsequent court appearance on October 31, 2025, Bessie Thomas agreed to a plea deal. She pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. As part of the agreement, the charge of unlawful possession of a gun was dismissed. A judge sentenced Thomas to 13 years in prison: 10 years for voluntary manslaughter and a consecutive three years for armed criminal action. Family members present in court remembered Rita Williams as a dedicated corrections officer for the city of Jennings and a loving mother to her four children.
