On the night of July 11, 2020, in Millbrook, Alabama, a series of events unfolded that tragically cut short the life of Kendrick T. Williams. Kendrick, a 24-year-old resident of Millbrook, was found by police officers who were responding to multiple 911 calls about shots being fired in the 2600 block of Sharon Lane at approximately 11:52 PM. Upon arrival, they discovered Williams on the ground outside a crashed vehicle, suffering from a single gunshot wound to his head.
Before officers
could provide aid, an unidentified Black male was seen fleeing the scene on foot. An officer pursued the individual, who was described as wearing a white T-shirt and multi-colored shorts, but lost sight of him. The vehicle at the scene, a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, was later found to have been stolen from Tallassee. Williams was treated at the scene by Millbrook fire-rescue personnel and then transported to Baptist South Emergency Room with life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on July 12, 2020. In the midst of their grief, his family made the decision to donate his organs, which helped save the lives of at least three other people.
The investigation into the homicide was handled by the Millbrook Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit. Authorities followed several leads and reviewed video surveillance from the area. According to Williams's mother, shortly before the shooting, he had told her that a person he knew had pointed a gun at him over a disagreement involving a female. This information was shared with the police.
Later in the month of the incident, an arrest was made in connection with the death of Kendrick T. Williams. Thomas Killingsworth, 23, was identified as the suspect and was originally charged with murder. In a subsequent court appearance, Killingsworth pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The plea agreement was for a 15-year sentence of confinement, with his defense attorney reserving the right to argue for a split sentence at a later date. Killingsworth admitted in court that he had recklessly caused Williams's death with a firearm.
