A move into a new apartment ended in tragedy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after a man fatally shot the friend who had come to help him carry his belongings. More than a year later, the case has resulted in a life prison sentence.
Terry Jefferson, 35, was sentenced on October 8, 2026, after a jury found him guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Charles Williams. Jefferson will be eligible for release on extended supervision after serving 35 years in prison, according to court information.
The shooting happened on February 26, 2025, as Jefferson was moving into an apartment in Milwaukee. Williams was helping him transport his possessions, and the two men were using a shopping cart and an elevator to move items from Jefferson’s vehicle into the building.
Shortly before 5 p.m., gunfire erupted inside the apartment building near North 27th Street and West Highland Avenue. Police officers responded and found Williams lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Jefferson was nearby holding a handgun, according to the criminal complaint.
Officers ordered Jefferson to drop the weapon, and he complied. Williams was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later determined that he died from multiple gunshot wounds.
What Happened Before the Shooting?
Investigators learned that an apartment manager had heard an initial gunshot and looked into the hallway. The manager saw Williams on the ground and Jefferson standing nearby with a gun.
Jefferson reportedly claimed that Williams had shot himself and had tried to grab his weapon. After the manager returned to an apartment to call 911, several more gunshots rang out in quick succession.
During questioning, Jefferson told investigators that he had been carrying his gun in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt while moving. He said Williams was standing close to him in the elevator area and began reaching for things.
Jefferson claimed he believed Williams was trying to take his gun, prompting him to fire. He acknowledged that the first shot struck Williams in the face.
The account also described what happened immediately afterward. Jefferson said he moved the shopping cart away from Williams so blood would not get on his belongings.
According to the complaint, Jefferson then struggled with a jammed firearm. He said he told Williams to calm down before firing again, claiming he still believed his friend was reaching for the weapon. The additional shots left Williams fatally wounded.
Why the Self-Defense Claim Failed
Jefferson’s explanation became a central issue in the case. He maintained that he believed Williams was trying to grab his gun, but investigators documented circumstances surrounding the shooting that were presented during the legal proceedings.
A witness’s account and other evidence formed part of the investigation. A short doorbell-camera recording reportedly captured Jefferson standing over Williams after the initial gunfire.
Court records also indicate that Jefferson acknowledged he had not seen Williams carrying a gun or another weapon. The jury ultimately rejected Jefferson’s self-defense claim and found him guilty of first-degree intentional homicide.
A Life Sentence With Future Supervision Conditions
The October 8 sentencing marked a major milestone in the case that began with the fatal shooting in February 2025.
Jefferson received a life sentence, but he will have an opportunity to seek release after serving 35 years. Eligibility does not guarantee that he will be released. If he is eventually allowed to leave prison, he will remain subject to extended supervision.
The case highlights how a dispute over a firearm can turn an ordinary act of helping a friend into a fatal encounter. For Williams, a day spent assisting someone with a move ended in his death, while Jefferson now faces decades behind bars as a result of the jury’s verdict.
