Mother of suspect in 2 murders pleads that he turn himself in

The lone suspect in two murders that happened minutes apart was still on the run Wednesday night.

Deputies say Johnny Williams Jr., 36, shot and killed his girlfriend and a teen in West Augustine on Tuesday.

St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar said Williams shot Jamie Wilson, 24, in front of her 4-year-old niece and 2-month-old baby. Then, deputies say minutes later, Williams shot at a group of people, killing 18-year-old Keiwuan Murray.

Williams’ mother, Virginia Betts, pleaded for Williams to turn himself in at a vigil for the victims.

Betts said she doesn't believe her son could do this. She paints a very different picture of her son and Wilson's relationship saying they loved each other and her son didn't kill her. But the sheriff's office says it has surveillance video and evidence saying otherwise.

“They had good times and bad times. I know they loved each other,” Betts said.

Betts was emotional but said her son is not a monster.

“I don't understand what went wrong or what’s happening,” Betts said. “He didn't do this to her. I don't understand.”

Sheriff Shoar said Williams Jr. went to his mom after shooting Wilson. Betts said he didn't say anything about what happened and was scared of the group at the second shooting scene at Duval and West 4th streets

“He was peaceful,” Betts said.

Wilson's sister told Action News Jax a different story about the couple's relationship.

“I told her, to just come home, to come home, to come home,” Alesia Wilson said. “She was scared to call and make any type of charges against him, but we kept telling her, ‘we love you.’”

The Sheriff isn't releasing a motive in Wilson’s death, but said they have surveillance video showing more details of what happened.

As the Sheriff's Office searches for Williams Jr, his mother has a message for him.

“Son, wherever you are, please do the right thing,” Betts said. “I understand my son did wrong, but everything in my power, I'm gonna get my son to do the right thing.”

The Sheriff's Office has found the maroon car he took off in on Tuesday, so they're not sure if he's driving anything at this point.

They think he could be in Jacksonville, in St. Johns or even on his way to Atlanta. They do still consider him armed and dangerous.

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