Pernell Sims, 35, from Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2023 death of his girlfriend, Tyshida Williams. The fatal shooting occurred on July 30 in his apartment on the 400 block of South Capitol Street SW, after a heated argument over her phone escalated into violence.
Incident Details
Prosecutors detailed how Sims and Williams argued for over an hour in the apartment lobby and parking garage, where he threw her to the ground and kicked her in the chest. They returned to his apartment—where his child was present—closed the bedroom door, and Sims shot her in the left side of her head. Williams, 31 and a special police officer, died from the injury that morning; her death was initially ruled a suicide before being reclassified as homicide, leading to Sims’ arrest in November 2023.
Legal Outcome
Sims admitted in federal court that he acted voluntarily, with no self-defense claim. He has remained in custody since his arrest and faces sentencing in March 2026. Court records note his history of domestic violence incidents dating back to 2013.
This case underscores the dangers of intimate partner violence. If you’re in need, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org.
