Demarcus “DJ” Antonio Williams Jr., a 22-year-old male, was fatally shot on the night of January 19, 2022, in a split-level rental property on North Brunswick Avenue in South Hill, Virginia. When South Hill Police responded to complaints of shots fired shortly after 11 p.m., they discovered Williams already deceased inside the residence. Another man, 31-year-old Kevin Edmonds of Rawlings, was also found at the scene with serious gunshot wounds.
Edmonds was airlifted to a hospital in Richmond but succumbed to his injuries during surgery.
The investigation into the double homicide revealed that the motive was likely a drug deal that had turned into a robbery. Williams and another man, Montavius Royal, had gone to the house to sell marijuana. They were met by Jadeen Person, a 21-year-old from White Plains who was living at the residence at the time. Evidence presented at trial indicated that Person and his brother, Kevin Edmonds, had lured Williams to the home with the intention of robbing him. A struggle ensued, during which Williams fatally shot Edmonds in what was suggested to be self-defense. Royal testified that after the initial exchange of gunfire, Person, who had briefly left the room, returned and shot Williams multiple times. Williams sustained nine gunshot wounds in total.
Initially, Jadeen Person provided false accounts to the police, first claiming Williams had broken in to rob him and later stating he shot Williams in defense of his brother. However, after evidence showed gunshot residue on his hands, Person admitted to firing his weapon but maintained it was in self-defense. Several other individuals were present in the home during the incident but were unharmed. Investigators recovered firearms believed to have been used in the shootings from the scene.
In July 2022, Jadeen Person was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony for his role in Demarcus Williams' death. He was not charged in the death of his brother, Kevin Edmonds. In November 2023, a Mecklenburg County Circuit Court jury found Person guilty of the charges. During the sentencing hearing in April 2024, the judge admonished Person for continuing to blame the victim. He was sentenced to a total active prison term of 20 years. As part of his sentence, Person was also ordered to pay court costs and restitution.
