Willie Dickerson, 20, of Jackson, Tennessee, was shot dead on July 9, 2022, while visiting a female friend in the 300 block of Swedenburg Circle in Columbus, Mississippi. Deputies from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office found him with gunshot wounds early that Saturday morning; he was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was sent to the state medical examiner for autopsy. Witnesses heard the gunfire but were unable to identify the shooter.

Investigators identified 38-year-old Freddie Williams of Columbus as the primary suspect, and described the shooting as retaliation for a prior dispute between Williams and Dickerson. Deputies tried to apprehend Williams on August 3, 2022; he fled in a vehicle, crashed, and was taken into custody. Williams was charged with murder and had an extensive criminal history listed as 18 prior felony arrests. Two others, Chaundra Dismuke and Christi Booker, were arrested on charges of tampering with physical evidence and felony conspiracy respectively.

The case was presented to a Lowndes County grand jury in 2023, which declined to indict, finding the prosecution’s evidence largely circumstantial. Charges did not proceed to trial and the investigation remains open. The family has held marches and offered a reward while asking the public for information. If anyone has information that could advance this investigation, please come forward.