In a dramatic courtroom decision, an 18-year-old from Wisconsin will sidestep incarceration after the tragic shooting death of his father. This incident, which unfolded in the presence of family members, occurred just two weeks after the father had expelled his son from their home.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Swanson issued a complex ruling on Thursday. While Corey D. Williams was sentenced to serve between five and eight years in a state correctional facility for the fatal shooting of his father, 47-year-old Corey Williams Sr., the judge suspended this sentence. Instead, Williams will serve five years on probation, according to court records.

This decision followed a plea agreement with prosecutors, whereby Williams admitted to one count of homicide caused by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon. During his probation period, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and consuming alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

Originally, Williams faced a charge of second-degree reckless homicide involving a dangerous weapon. However, the plea deal altered the course of legal proceedings.

The tragic events occurred on July 2, 2025, when Milwaukee police officers responded to a 911 call around 2:40 p.m. The call came from an apartment complex on the 1100 block of W. Atkinson Avenue, where a shooting had been reported. Williams’ grandmother made the harrowing call, stating, “My grandson shot his daddy up there.”

Upon arrival, emergency responders found the father in the living room with multiple gunshot wounds to critical areas including his left arm, shoulder, chest, abdomen, and groin. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A 9 mm handgun was recovered from the floor nearby, marking a grim end to a family altercation.

In an interview with police, Williams Jr.’s grandfather said that Williams Sr. had been caring for his children in the apartment after their mother was evicted. Earlier that day, the grandfather said he went to the store with Williams Sr. and took a nap. He was awoken by the sound of gunshots and went outside where he saw Williams Jr.’s mother and her children coming down the stairs from Williams Sr.’s apartment.

“[Williams Jr.’s mother] was crying and said that she did not want her kid to go to jail,” the grandfather told police, per the affidavit. “He asked what happened and [Williams Jr.’s mother] said that Corey Williams Jr. shot his dad.”

When the grandfather saw Williams Jr. coming down the stairs and asked what happened, the 18-year-old said, “I shot him.”

Williams Jr. on July 3 spoke to detectives, telling them he used to live with his father in the apartment, but Williams Sr. had kicked him out about two weeks earlier. Williams Jr. then moved in with his sister.

Prior to the shooting, Williams Jr. said he went to his father’s apartment with his mother and brother to pick up the rest of their siblings, who were already at the apartment. While at the apartment, Williams Jr.’s parents began to argue, so Williams Jr. said he “butted in and told his dad to move around so that they could leave.” That is when the confrontation turned violent.

“His dad grabbed him by the collar and began to force him around,” the affidavit states. “While this was happening his dad was holding a pistol in his hand. His dad was telling him to have respect and to shut up. His dad forced him onto a recliner chair and then towards the dining room area table. His mother and brother were trying to get his dad off of him. After his dad forced him over the table, he saw a pistol that was on the table. He said ‘and I grabbed it and I shoot him.’”

Williams said he was not sure how many times he shot his father but told detectives he knew it was “more than five times.”

According to a report from Milwaukee Fox affiliate WIKI, prosecutors said it was not clear whether Williams Sr. ever had a gun.