In the small town of Hayneville, Alabama, a beloved figure, Sheriff John 'Big John' Williams, a 62-year-old African American man, met a tragic and untimely end on the night of Saturday, November 23, 2019. The revered lawman, known for his dedication to the community he served for over four decades, was fatally shot at a convenience store in the heart of the town he swore to protect.
That evening, Sheriff Williams responded to a call from the owner of a QV gas station who was seeking
assistance with a group of people loitering in the parking lot. Upon his arrival, Williams engaged with a young man, later identified as 18-year-old William Chase Johnson, about the loud music coming from his truck. During this interaction, the situation escalated, and Johnson allegedly shot the sheriff. The single gunshot proved to be fatal for the long-serving sheriff.
In the immediate aftermath, a Blue Alert was issued for Johnson, who had fled the scene. However, in a surprising turn of events, Johnson returned to the convenience store just after midnight, carrying a handgun, and surrendered to authorities. He was subsequently taken into custody and charged with capital murder. The suspect, William Chase Johnson, was the son of a law enforcement officer from a neighboring county.
The case eventually went to trial, though it was moved to Macon County due to the extensive media coverage in Lowndes County. The defense argued that Johnson acted in self-defense and was unaware that Williams, who was not in uniform, was a law enforcement officer. After deliberations, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, leading the judge to declare a mistrial. A new trial was anticipated to be held at a later date.
