Guilty Plea from Man Who Murdered His Prior Romantic Partner

            WASHINGTON – Pernell Sims, 35, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to the shooting death of his prior romantic partner, Tyshida Williams, in Southwest D.C. on July 30, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

           Sims entered a guilty plea to second degree murder while armed before Superior Court Associate Judge Todd Edelman on January 9, 2026.

          A sentencing hearing is scheduled to occur before Judge Edelman on March 20, 2026. Judge Edelman ordered that Sims continue to be held without bond pending sentencing.

           According to the government’s evidence, Sims and the victim Tyshida Williams were in a romantic relationship on July 30, 2023. After returning to the apartment after 7:00 a.m., the defendant became angry about Williams’ phone. Sims and Williams then went to the lobby and parking garage area of Sims’ apartment building and argued for more than an hour. While in the parking garage, the defendant threw Williams to the ground and kicked her in the chest. After returning upstairs to Sims’ apartment where his child was present, he and Williams went into the bedroom and closed the door. Sims then shot Williams in the left side of her head. Williams died from her injuries later that morning. Sims confirmed that, in shooting Williams, he was acting voluntarily, and that he was not acting in self-defense.

           The defendant was arrested in November 2023 and has been in custody ever since.

           Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

           This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma McArthur and Stephanie Dinan.