Prior Felon Sentenced To 96 Months In Federal Prison For Possession Of A Firearm In Relation To Shooting Incident

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Tamylon Williams, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“The investigation and prosecution of violent crime – in this case a fatal, mass casualty shooting by an armed repeat offender – is central to our mission to protect the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “This sentence illustrates our shared resolve to keep our communities safe and the significant consequences associated with such federal crimes of violence.”

On October 29, 2022, at approximately 11:48 p.m., Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) Officers responded to gunshots being fired from the area of Half Time Liquors at 2101 West Pensacola Street in Tallahassee, Florida.  TPD found several people who were wounded during the incident, and one individual who was killed by the gunfire.

“We are grateful that justice has prevailed, ensuring that Williams will be held accountable for his senseless actions and face the consequences," said Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell. “Following this tragic shooting, TPD officers and detectives worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and provide closure for the victim’s families. Today, we find solace in knowing that our justice system stands firm in prosecuting those who seek to disrupt our safety and harm our community.”

Video evidence from Half Time Liquors was obtained which shows Williams walking in the parking lot with the barrel of a rifle protruding out of the bottom of his jacket; other video shows Williams taking a stance consistent with firing a gun.  Williams is later seen entering a vehicle and placing an AK-style rifle into the backseat. Officers located the vehicle at a gas station within a couple hours of the shooting, and the rifle was recovered from the backseat. Williams had prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing the rifle.

Williams is still pending related charges in State Court for the 2^nd Judicial Circuit, where he is presumed innocent.

Williams’ prison sentence will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

This conviction was the result of an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.