A Milwaukee mother was shot and killed in front of her young son and niece earlier this month in what her family is calling a tragic case of road rage. Police say the suspect opened fire after a minor fender bender, shooting through her windshield in broad daylight.
Mother Shot in Front of Her Children
The victim, 29-year-old Charmaine William, was driving with her 9-year-old son, her boyfriend, and her 2-year-old niece when she was gunned down on August 6 on Milwaukee’s north side.
Her 9-year-old son, identified as “DD” in court documents, was left crying inside the vehicle, asking detectives why someone had killed his mother. William died just blocks away from her home, where her family says she had built a safe haven for her children.
Suspect Identified as Motorcyclist
Police identified the shooter as 29-year-old Larry Jefferson. He has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to investigators, Jefferson was riding a cruiser-style motorcycle and wearing a vest with “gangster stickers” that resembled motorcycle club patches. Surveillance video and automatic license plate reader cameras allegedly showed him trailing William’s car shortly before the shooting.
Police also linked Jefferson to a Facebook group called “Cliqueriders MC,” where he appeared in photos with the same motorcycle, a club vest, and a black handgun.
Boy’s Heartbreaking Account
The victim’s son told police that a motorcycle had struck the back of their car, and the rider then pulled out a gun. “He pulled a firearm and shot his mamma,” the boy recalled.
According to the complaint, the rider moved alongside the driver’s side window, pulled a gun from between his legs, and fired several shots through the windshield.
Evidence Recovered
Police found five .45 caliber shell casings at the scene, all fired from the same weapon. A search of Jefferson’s home allegedly uncovered a motorcycle vest matching the one seen in surveillance footage and a black Glock .45 caliber handgun with an extended magazine.
Ballistics testing confirmed it matched the casings found at the homicide scene.
Family’s Heartbreak
William’s family described her as a devoted mother of four whose life revolved around her children. On GoFundMe, relatives wrote that she was a “fierce protector” and that her “dreams were wrapped entirely around their futures.”
“She dropped in front of the very home where she created a haven for her babies,” the family’s statement read. Her sister, Tanua Deberry, told FOX 6 News, “He just did it for no reason. No reason at all.”
What’s Next for the Suspect
Jefferson is currently being held on a $300,000 bond in Milwaukee County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 9 for a scheduling conference.
This senseless shooting has left four children without their mother and a family devastated by sudden violence. What began as a minor traffic incident ended in tragedy, showing how quickly anger on the road can turn deadly.
As the legal case moves forward, Charmaine William’s family continues to demand justice and remember her as a loving mother taken far too soon.
