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AUSTELL RECEIVES LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF SUMTER COUNTY TEEN

AUSTELL RECEIVES LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF SUMTER COUNTY TEEN

(Sumter County, FL) Today, the honorable Judge Hatcher sentenced 26-year-old Bacarri Justice Austell to Life in the Florida Department of Corrections for the senseless murder of Chris’sean Williams just two days before the young teenager’s 17th birthday.

 

“This life sentence echoes the profound consequences of not just one, but two young lives lost,” said William “Bill” Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “As our community grapples with the tragedy of this teenager’s murder, may Austell’s sentence serve as a resolute reminder that our commitment to justice demands accountability for the choices we make.”

 

Back in November 2023, a Sumter County jury delivered a verdict of guilty against Austell for Second-Degree Murder with a firearm.

 

The jury ultimately found Austell possessed and discharged a firearm, resulting in the tragic death of 16-year-old  Chris’sean Williams. The incident unfolded at Royal Park, where Austell, during a video game gathering, pursued and fired four rounds at the victim, fatally striking him in the head.

 

Austell claimed he thought the victim was a person who had threatened him on a different day. In one of the many various statements he told law enforcement, Austell said he was in fear for his life and shot the victim. Despite this claim of justifiable use of deadly force, diligent work by Inspector Knight, Det. Warren, CID detectives, and the Forensic team of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) proved this claim false.

 

The SAO’s victim witness department played a crucial role in coordinating witnesses despite the inherent challenges in cases of this nature. Special acknowledgment to Sgt. Mullins of the SCSO, as well as K9 Rio, whose keen nose led to the discovery of the murder weapon.

 

Exceptional work by Assistant State Attorney Donald “Sonny” McCathran Jr. and Daniel Geraghty for their firm commitment to seeking justice for the Williams family.


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Media Contact: Walter Forgie, (352) 671-5900, wforgie@sao5.org