Gunman Convicted of Two Counts of Attempted Murder

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a man who shot at two victims, one of whom was two years old. Richard Gregory Williams, III, 22, was convicted of two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder and two counts of Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on May 25.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Phil Morton explained to the jury that on April 2, 2016, Williams sent text messages to the victim, Larry North, and lured him out of his apartment to meet him in a parking lot at 1100 Lula Powell Drive. When North exited his apartment with his two-year-old nephew, Williams approached the victims and fired several shots at them, striking Larry North seven times. The toddler was not struck during the shooting.

Each count of Attempted First Degree Murder is a Class A felony, carrying a punishment between fifteen and twenty-five years in prison. Employing a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony carries a mandatory six-year sentence that must run consecutive to the sentence received in the attempted murder count.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.