Illinois Arrest of Navy Sailor Linked to South Carolina Mass Shooting

Navy Sailor Arrested in Connection with South Carolina Shooting

A U.S. Navy sailor has been arrested as a suspect in a mass shooting over Memorial Day weekend in South Carolina that left at least ten people wounded. The suspect, Shawon Shamarion Williams, 19, was taken into custody by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in Illinois on Thursday and is currently being held at the Lake County Jail, located north of Chicago.

Williams, who is stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago, faces charges connected to a chaotic scene captured on cellphone video. The footage shows a crowd of people getting off a boat in Little River, South Carolina-a community close to the North Carolina state line-when gunfire erupted.

Cmdr. Jessica L. McNulty of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery confirmed Williams’ arrest. Described as a hull maintenance technician seaman, he was assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes. Following his arrest, NCIS transferred Williams to local authorities.

The police in South Carolina have indicated that Williams is expected to be charged with several counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. They also noted that more arrests might follow as the investigation continues.

One of the victims, Jeremy Evans, shared his experience: “We got shot coming off the boat,” he recounted. “We were on the pier.” Evans sustained a leg wound and later posted videos documenting his recovery journey. In response to Williams’ arrest, Evans voiced his demand for justice.

“When I got hit, I took my shorts off and wrapped it around my wound,” Evans explained. “We were involved in a mass shooting. Ten of us got sprayed on this deck.” According to police reports, a private charter boat had just docked when an argument escalated into gunfire.

“He started shooting and running backwards,” Evans recalled, describing the chaotic moment.

Williams now faces a fugitive of justice charge and is set to appear in court on Friday morning for the extradition process to begin. Authorities are working diligently to ensure that all responsible parties are brought to justice.

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