Hinesville Police converged at a shopping plaza at 111 West Hendry Street the afternoon of July 22, in response to what ended as a murder-suicide situation between a husband and wife.
The two have now been identified by HPD as Christopher J Williams. 35, and Terrica L Williams 36.
According to HPD Police Chief Lloyd Slater, at 1:30 p.m., HPD along with units from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Stewart CID, and other local agencies responded to a call where a witness said Terrica Williams was seen driving a Chevy Camaro and being chased into the parking lot of Liberty Square Shopping Plaza by her husband who drove a Ford F-150 Super Truck.
Terrica Williams stopped in front of Lendmark Financial Services and jumped out of her car. Her husband also jumped out of his truck, pursued his wife, while, according to witnesses, firing his gun in her direction.
Terrica Williams ran inside the Lendmark Financial. Two employees ducked under their desks as they saw her husband run in behind his wife with gun in hand. One employee later ran out of the building when Christopher Williams and his wife ran into a back office.
According to Slater Christopher Williams an active-duty soldier.
Chief Slater said the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team entered the building and began checking and clearing the area. It was the SRT who found the couple dead.
It appears Christopher Williams shot his wife and then killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot.
Fort Stewart PAO released the following statement Monday afternoon:
Williams was assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart. He was a culinary specialist and served as a culinary management noncommissioned officer. “On behalf of the entire division, I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to both families in the wake of this tragic and shocking incident,” said Maj. Gen, Charles D. Costanza, the commanding general of 3rd ID and Fort Stewart. “We are working closely with local authorities during their investigation and are providing as much support as we can to both families during this very difficult time.”
On Saturday Rick Faircloth, owner of Pro Feet, located in the same shopping plaza, called the incident a tragedy.
“It shows the depravity of humanity,” he said. “A life that is governed by unforgiveness and bitterness, anger and rage. It is a sad scenario.”
He said a customer brought the incident to his attention while he was at the store Friday. He saw police arriving on scene and later ordered everyone to stay inside the stores and lock the doors.
He said Christopher Williams was a customer at his store and had shopped there the day prior to the incident.
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