James Triston Williams, 18, of Cedartown, Georgia, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest on March 22, 2020, at an apartment on South Sycamore Street in Rome. Reports say Williams and 20-year-old Cameron Andrew Thornton were handling a firearm when Thornton allegedly pointed it at Williams’s chest; as Williams reached for the weapon Thornton pulled it back and the gun discharged. The wound proved fatal.

Thornton was taken into custody and charged with involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, reckless conduct, and obstruction. Williams was a father to a daughter, Londyn Rae Williams, and engaged to Harley Cochran; family and friends remembered him as caring and hardworking.

Anyone who was in the area that night or who knew Williams or Thornton and can add details is asked to come forward.