Family wants answers in deadly I-20 shooting

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Update: DeKalb County police arrested Terrance Elane in the shooting. He has been charged with murder

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The family of a 19-year-old shot and killed on Interstate 20 this week in DeKalb County is asking for a key witness to come forward.

Jonathan Williams Jr., of Douglas County, died Tuesday when police say someone opened fire into the driver side of his car on I-20 at Panola Road around 5:30 p.m. %

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His family says the lack of information about his death is frustrating.

"I just want to know why it happened," Jonathan Williams Sr. said exclusively to Channel 2 Action News. "This is an innocent man. Nineteen years old and just starting his life."

Witnesses told police the shooter was in a red Chevrolet with Missouri tags. There was also a passenger in the car with Williams Jr., according to police, who ran away after the shooting.

"If they was in that vehicle, they know what was going on, and I'm hoping they come out and just say something," said Williams. “Just to give us closure."

Geraldine Williams enjoys thinking about how happy her first-born son was on the first day of kindergarten and how she used to throw the football around with him.

"Those were special times," she said.

Just for a moment, it makes her smile at a time when all she has been able to do is cry.

"He was my baby boy," she said, in tears. "I just never thought this would happen to him."

She flew in from Indianapolis on Friday to help make funeral arrangements for the oldest of her two sons. Williams Jr. worked two jobs and wanted to pursue a college degree someday, she said.

"He was 19, and they stole my son's life," she said. "He had a whole future ahead of him. He was a bright, bright boy."

His father last saw Williams Jr. leaving their Douglas County home Monday night, possibly to visit his girlfriend. He never thought anything was wrong until DeKalb County Police paid him a visit Tuesday night.

DeKalb County police detectives are going through Williams Jr.'s phone to determine who was the passenger, according to his father.

He believes there are more witnesses with specific details that have yet to come forward, considering the shooting took place during rush hour traffic.

"Everybody's coming home from work, and nobody has nothing to say?" he asked. "It doesn't feel right to me."

He is confident DeKalb County police will find the killer, but in the meantime, he says senseless violence is claiming too many young lives.

"His life was cut short, and this could happen to anybody," he said. "I don't want this happen to anybody else."

Cox Media Group