Phebian Williams

A baby shower on Detroit's east side, meant to celebrate new life, became a scene of tragedy on the evening of October 15, 2023. Phebian Williams, a 53-year-old Black woman who was known for surrounding herself with family and friends, was fatally shot inside a residence in the 15600 block of Edmore Drive. The joyous occasion descended into chaos after a verbal altercation escalated with deadly consequences.

The dispute involved Williams and a longtime friend, Shawanda Woods, a 44-year-old from Ypsilanti. According to witnesses, a tension had been brewing between the two. Days earlier, Woods had accused Williams’ son of a crime and reported it to the police. At the baby shower, an argument erupted over the matter. The verbal fight turned physical, and Woods allegedly produced a handgun and fired a single shot, striking Williams in the neck. Emergency medical services arrived to find Williams in the kitchen, where she was pronounced deceased.

In the immediate aftermath, Woods fled the home, called the police to report what she had done, and drove to the Detroit Police Department's Ninth Precinct to turn herself in. However, she was followed by Phebian Williams' 36-year-old son, Leandre Devon Love. As Woods exited her vehicle in the precinct's parking lot, Love struck her with his car. Woods was hospitalized in serious condition.

Both Woods and Love were taken into custody. Shawanda Woods was charged with second-degree murder and felony firearm for the death of Phebian Williams. She was arraigned and remanded to jail. Leandre Devon Love was charged with assault with intent to murder and felonious assault for the incident outside the police precinct. He was arraigned and given a $100,000 personal bond.

The case against Shawanda Woods proceeded through the court system. In August 2024, she was convicted and sentenced for the fatal shooting of Phebian Williams.