ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The mother and extended family of the first victim of Tuesday's triple shooting are urging the suspect to surrender and asking for the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office to share more information about what happened.
Authorities said Johnny Lawrence Williams Jr. shot and killed his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jamie Wilson, backed over a stroller holding Wilson's 2-month-old baby, then drove a few blocks and fired at a group of people, killing 18-year-old Keiwuan Murray and injuring Brittany Tobler, 28.
"We have lost Jamie, but please Casper (Johnny Williams' nickname), please, anyone who is helping him ... encourage him to come forward," Zemetra Carswell said. "If he is still alive, God will forgive you. I’m trying to get there, but I have lost my child. I’ve lost my baby and Little Johnny has lost a mother. He was 2 months old. He’s safe, but my daughter’s life was cut short."
Jamie Wilson's grandmother, uncles and pastor gathered in the West Augustine yard where her life was taken, urging calm from the community and restraint from law enforcement. They said they don't want anyone else to die and they wanted to hear Williams' version of what happened.
“Don’t hide. Come on out. Surrender. Give yourself up! We need this as a family," Jamie Wilson’s grandmother, Joan Carswell said. “I call you grandson, too. Can you please turn yourself in? This is too heartbreaking.”
At a vigil for Wilson held Wednesday night, Williams' mother begged him also to surrender to police.
"Son, wherever you are, please, do the right thing," Virginia Betts said.
The Wilson family has also set up a GoFundMe account to help the family.
Manhunt continues
The Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that Williams could still be in Jacksonville, where the car they believe Williams used to flee St. Augustine was found abandoned Tuesday night. Or he could be headed toward Atlanta, where he has connections.
Sheriff David Shoar said the handgun Williams used to kill Wilson was found in the first car Williams used to flee the shooting scene, but he is believed to still have the assault rifle that was used to kill Murray.
Shoar said that after Wilson, Williams, their 2-month-old son and a 4-year-old niece got out of a car in front of a home on Rollins Avenue about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, Williams shot Wilson. He then got back into the car and hit a stroller holding the baby before driving a few blocks to the corner of Duval and Fourth streets, where his mother lives.
Shoar said that after talking with his mom, Williams went outside and shot at a group of people where Murray was standing and Tobler was also hit by gunfire. Shoar said Williams had an ongoing dispute with a group of people that included Murray and Tobler that had nothing to do with why he shot Wilson.
Tobler and the baby hit by the car were taken to Flagler Hospital for treatment. Both were treated and released.
At Wednesday's news conference, Shoar discounted rumors that there was a second gunman, saying there is eyewitness and video surveillance evidence that Williams is the only suspect in both killings.
UNCUT: Sheriff Shoar's Wednesday news conference on double homicide
The red 2001 Ford Contour deputies believe Williams used to leave St. Augustine was found abandoned on Kenmore Street, just off Norwood Avenue in Northwest Jacksonville. It was impounded and processed for evidence in the case.
St. Johns County deputies, as well as those in Jacksonville and surrounding counties, continue to search for Williams, who is described as a black man, 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds.
Williams has a lengthy criminal history that includes previous charges of attempted felony murder, strong-arm robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, battery on a law enforcement officer, eluding police, drug possession and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Williams said he should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with any information is asked to call 911.