Argument Over Leaving The Electrical Power On Turns Deadly In Florida
By Zuri Anderson
September 20, 2022
A Florida man is facing charges for allegedly killing his ex-wife and her son Sunday night (September 19) over electricity use, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office (VSO).
Deputies responded to 1322 East Parkway in DeLand after the 911 caller, identified as 47-year-old Michael D. Williams, said he shot the victims in self-defense. When the cops pulled up to the home, Williams surrendered himself and was taken into custody.
Authorities entered the home and found 48-year-old Marsha Ebanks-Williams and her son, 28-year-old Robert Adams dead inside the home, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies also discovered Adams' two children, ages 5 and 6, inside the house unhurt.
Double homicide arrest: 9/18/222 KILLED, EX-HUSBAND ARRESTED IN SHOOTING FOLLOWING DOMESTIC DISPUTE A DeLand woman and her son were fatally shot Sunday night following an ongoing domestic dispute with the woman’s ex-husband, who admitted to shooting them and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Deputies responded to the incident at 1322 East Parkway, DeLand, in the Daytona Park Estates neighborhood, just before 8 p.m. Sunday. The defendant, 47-year-old Michael D. Williams (DOB 4/11/1975) had called 911 stating he’d just shot his ex-wife and her son in self-defense. On arrival, deputies contacted Williams, who was sitting in a vehicle parked in the driveway. He surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. Deputies entered the home and found both victims, 48-year-old Marsha Ebanks-Williams and her son, 28-year-old Robert Adams, deceased in the house. Adams’ two children, ages 5 and 6, were also found in the house, unharmed. Detectives determined the defendant and his ex-wife had been involved in an ongoing dispute over domestic issues including electrical power to the house, where they were both still living following their divorce in June after 10 years of marriage. The victim and defendant had each called the Sheriff’s Office on occasions over the past several months to document verbal arguments about the property and living arrangements. However, there were no allegations of domestic violence or any threats of violence. On Sunday, Williams explained he had shut off power to the house, locked the electrical panel, and left. He said he came back to discover the victims had cut the lock, restored power, and placed a new lock on the panel. That led to the argument that led to Williams fatally shooting both victims. Williams told detectives he was attacked, held down and punched repeatedly in the face during the argument, but he did not have any apparent injuries that would indicate a significant physical altercation, other than some superficial scratches. It’s believed the children may have witnessed the incident, and the state Department of Children and Families responded to assist in their care while contact was made with their mother. Williams’ criminal history includes arrests several years ago in another jurisdiction for domestic battery, child abuse, and battery on a law enforcement officer, but he was not convicted of any of those charges. Following his interview with detectives, Williams was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail early Monday and remains held there with no bond.
Posted by Volusia Sheriff's Office on Monday, September 19, 2022
Investigators learned Williams and Williams-Ebanks were still living together after getting divorced, both of them calling VSO before over domestic issues including electrical power in the house. Officials documented "verbal arguments about the property and living arrangements. However, there were no allegations of domestic violence or any threats of violence."
Williams told deputies he shut down the power to the house and locked the electrical panel before leaving the home. When he came back, he found that the victims accessed the panel, restored power, and placed a new lock on it. An argument broke out between the three, leading to a 47-year-old man shooting Williams-Ebanks and Adams, according to cops.
The suspect claims the victims pinned him down and punched him multiple times in the face, but deputies say he didn't have any apparent injuries consistent with a fight. VSO also believes the children may have witnessed the incident.
Williams was booked into the Volusia County Branch jail Monday (September 19) without bond for two counts of first-degree murder. The Florida Department of Children and Families helped the kids get back to their mother, according to the sheriff's office.