Victim in Orlando' s first homicide of 2019 ID'd as 16-year-old boy

Police identify victim as Denim Williams

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police are investigating the city's first homicide of 2019.

The shooting was reported shortly before 11:50 a.m. Wednesday near Polk and Jefferson streets.

Police said they found a victim in a driveway on West Jefferson Street when they arrived, but he later died. He was identified by police Thursday as 16-year-old Denim Williams.

A witness told News 6 that Williams was shot in the head inside a car, but police have not released any other details about the shooting.

The woman who lives in the house where the car came to a stop said she woke up to the police.

"I just got a knock at the door, and a cop told me there was a dead body," she said. "I think before they even got here -- that’s when I heard a, 'pop, pop,' but I was assuming it was fireworks."

She said her 8-year-old son was at home with her when they realized the sounds were not fireworks, but gunfire.

"His bedroom is in the back, too, where the bullet hole was found, so I'm just glad that he's OK," she said.

Lawanna Gelzer, a community activist in the town of Parramore, owns a day care one block from where the shooting took place.

Gelzer said she was just returning from vacation when she learned the first homicide of the year had taken place in her community.

"I'm so sorry for this tragedy the first of the year. I'm just returning back from vacation. I've been gone and to walk into this. It's a devastating thing," Gelzer said.

She said she's tired of seeing her community suffer and hopes community members and law enforcement will put in the effort to improve the area.

"When you build great relationships with the community, people won't be afraid and won't shut down when something happens and fail to tell you what's going on in the community," Gelzer said.

Gelzer said she knows crime is everywhere, but she hopes the people of Parramore can do better.

Police said they're interviewing multiple people and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting.


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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