ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The family of the woman fatally shot in St. Augustine last week said their final goodbyes at a viewing Friday evening.
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.
The viewing took place just hours after Williams was arrested Friday afternoon at a convenience store in North Jacksonville on a warrant charging him with two counts of murder, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office confirmed.
Wilson's family told News4Jax that they were ecstatic, but more importantly, they were relieved Williams was arrested.
"The family is just overjoyed. And we just feel so blessed that God just shed a light on this boy and took him out of hiding," said Shanna Cato, Wilson's cousin. "At least gives us more safety. Like the baby can come home."
Family members said now that Williams is in custody, they can begin the stages of closure for their family and will also begin the first step in getting justice for Wilson and Murray.
"Prayer does change things. I was praying this week and we had so many prayer warriors praying that he be caught. Because it's been a nightmare. We all couldn't sleep. We were all nervous. We were getting threats and I am just so so thankful unto God that this has happened today that he has been captured," said Joan Carswell, Wilson's grandmother.
The viewing was held at St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine. Some people wore memorial T-shirts and others wore green, which was Wilson's favorite color. Wilson's funeral will be at the church at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Those who wore the T-shirts with Wilson's picture said the shirts symbolize a soul who was lost too soon.
"She's always going to be in my heart. Memories never fade away," said Nataelya Axen.
Axen said she worked with Wilson for five years and was one of her closest friends, which is why she decided to design the memorial shirts.
She also said she's relieved that Williams was captured shortly before the viewing.
"It was a relief; a lot of relief. My mind is clear now. And I'm happy that the family, both families are relieved now because some people felt threatened and some people were scared to go to sleep at night. So, it's a blessing that everything went (that) way," Williams said.
Friends and family said that Wilson looked like she was at peace now that the suspect has been caught.
"We've all been a total wreck since this happened. And when I tell you, our family has been in prayer ever since the day it's happened. Especially this week because we just wanted him to be captured so that my little cousin can be at peace," said Kimberly Carswell, Wilson's cousin.
The family said their prayers of the past two weeks have been answered.
"I just went to rejoicing and just thanking God and crying," said Joan Carswell.
Joan Carswell said her family has no ill feelings toward Williams, but they are happy to finally be receiving a victory.
Deputies with SJCSO said Williams was arrested with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He was booked into the Duval County jail.
Investigators said Williams, 36, has been on the run since shootings on April 5.
St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar said last week 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, 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.
The U.S. Marshals Service was offering a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of Williams.