A North Carolina community is in mourning following the tragic death of 41-year-old Princess Russell, a Black/African American female from Clayton. The incident, which has been described as domestic in nature, unfolded in the early morning hours of March 14, 2026, leaving a family shattered by violence.
Johnston County deputies were called to a residence on Valleyfield Drive after receiving a 911 hang-up call around 2:50 a.m..
Upon their arrival, the situation quickly escalated as multiple gunshots were heard from inside the home. Moments later, Russell's 18-year-old son, Zykeith Shaw, leaped from a second-story window, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was able to inform the deputies that his mother had also been shot and that the suspect was still inside the house.
Following a brief standoff, law enforcement took 41-year-old Jerry Ross Williams into custody. Inside the home, deputies discovered Princess Russell, who had been fatally shot. A 10-year-old girl, identified as Williams's daughter, was also found in the residence but was physically unharmed. Shaw was transported to a local hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Williams has since been charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is currently being held without bond at the Johnston County Detention Center. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with authorities confirming that the incident was domestic-related.
