On September 26, 2024, 47-year-old Billy "Pumkin" Williams was fatally shot in Oakland, California. The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in the 3400 block of Wilson Street in the Dimond District. Williams was standing with or near a group of people when an assailant fired multiple rounds, striking him and a nearby car. Despite the presence of others, no additional injuries were reported.
Prior to his death, Williams had been striving to rebuild his life following a decade-long incarceration. Approximately two months before the shooting, he began working for the Beautification Council, a nonprofit organization led by Ken Houston, dedicated to cleaning up homeless encampments and streets in Oakland and Alameda County. Houston described Williams as responsible and punctual, noting that he sought an opportunity to turn his life around despite challenges posed by his criminal record. Williams had also endured personal tragedies, including the loss of his son to gun violence in Oakland the previous year, and his 19-year-old daughter was battling cancer at the time of his death.
Investigators have indicated that Williams engaged in a heated cellphone conversation approximately 15 minutes before the shooting. The assailant, described as a masked gunman, fled the scene on foot to a waiting vehicle and escaped. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not determined a clear motive for the killing. The Oakland Police Department continues to investigate the case, urging anyone with information to come forward.
