WAYCROSS, Ga. – A father of seven and a woman are dead after a weekend shooting at the Garlington Heights apartments in Waycross, Georgia.
Waycross police said Cameron Wilkins Jr., 21, and Felicia Williams, 32, were killed Saturday. The two people who were injured were not named.
Cameron was recently released from jail and was trying to get his life on track, according to his family.
News4Jax spoke with Wilkins' sister, Ashley Wilkins' who said her brother was the glue that kept her family together, and life will never be the same without him.
“He was a good person, and he stayed to himself," Ashley said. “He tried to make my mother happy by staying off the streets.”
Ashley remembers her brother as the teen who loved sports, especially basketball, and was the problem-solver for his friends and family.
“My little brother gave me advice, saying, ‘Hold on. It’s going to be alright,’” Ashley said.
Cameron’s family said he was the best thing that happened to their family in a long time.
“I know he’s going to watch over us, motivate us and give my mother strength to live day by day,” Ashley said.
Police say they are processing evidence and following every lead, but don’t have a motive for the shooting and made a plea to the public for help solving the case.
Waycross police records show the shooting was the first at the Garlington Heights apartments in at least the last 18 months.
“This is not normal for our community,” Waycross police Capt. Danny Hampton said. “This is a small town. Most families are very close. It’s a closely knit community.”
Waycross police are asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to call 912-287-2921. To remain anonymous call 912-287-2924.
Neighbors recount shooting
News4Jax spoke with neighbors who that said although the shooting occurred in a housing project, they are not accustomed to the violence.
"Even though this is the projects, this is a nice area," said a neighbor who wished to remain unnamed.
Police spoke with multiple neighbors about the shooting, including Johnny White, Wilkins and Williams' uncle.
"I heard gunshots. I didn’t come outside. After that I heard my nieces and nephews hollering," White said. "They killed them. That’s all I heard."
Jamie Solomon lives next door to one of victims of the shooting.
"One of the victims was laying on my porch. She was shot in the head," Solomon said. "And the other victim was on the other side. That’s all I know. I came out and did what I could do with first aid. She was a good neighbor."
News4Jax crime analyst Gil Smith said interviews with the two survivors will be critical in the police investigation.
"More than likely, one of them may know something about one of the suspects and why they were there," Smith said. "I doubt that it was something that was random."
Police said this is an ongoing investigation and had no information about any suspects.