Lester Williams, a 69-year-old Black man and Vietnam veteran, was found dead in his Tuscaloosa home on the morning of July 18, 2017, after investigators discovered the front door had been kicked in. Police called the scene a homicide: Williams was found on his bed, killed by gunfire, and detectives described a forced entry that left the neighborhood shaken. Family members said the killing occurred on his birthday. In the immediate aftermath, investigators had no suspects in custody and urged anyone with information about those early-morning moments to come forward.

On October 23, 2017, authorities announced arrests: Cody Williams, 18, was charged with murder and two counts of third-degree burglary and booked with bond set at $150,000; a second 18-year-old, Fernandez Britton Jr., was charged with first-degree burglary and booked with bond set at $60,000. The governor later issued a proclamation calling the death the murder of Lester Williams and stressing the need to hold those responsible accountable. If anyone knew Lester or has information about the break-in or the hours before his death, please share what you know.