28-year-old gunned down in Richmond while visiting girlfriend

Family, friends remember 28-year-old man killed in Richmond shooting

Dozens gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil in Richmond to honor Jerry Williams, a 28-year-old man shot and killed Friday evening near the city?s Iron Triangle neighborhood.

RICHMOND, Calif. - Dozens gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil in Richmond to honor Jerry Williams, a 28-year-old man shot and killed Friday evening near the city’s Iron Triangle neighborhood.

The vigil took place at Lincoln Avenue and Eighth Street, the site where police say Williams was gunned down while visiting his girlfriend. He died at the scene.

"This is horrible, for somebody who wasn’t a street person," said Raquel Williams, the victim’s cousin. "He worked every day. He got caught up with somebody else having an issue. It wasn’t even an issue that he had."

Family members described Williams as a hardworking, generous young man devoted to his relatives. 

His sister, Darmeisha Sandefur, said the loss has been devastating. "That’s my baby brother. I never expected to be burying him."

Williams worked at a thrift store in San Pablo, where coworkers donated candles and balloons for the vigil. Loved ones shared memories of his kindness.

"He was a generous person, he loved to help," said cousin Yulanda Evans. "He was always my Uber, as soon as I called him, day, night, whatever, he always looked out for the whole family."

The gathering ended with a balloon release as family and friends called the killing senseless and demanded justice.

Richmond police said they are still searching for the suspect or suspects. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward.

This marks the city's second homicide in 2025.