Suspect Accused in Beating, Shooting Death of Domestic Partner, a Special Police Officer

By Jeff Levine - November 21, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Pernell Sims, 33, appeared before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Nov. 21 in a case he called, “The most serious crime you could ever commit.”

Sims is charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Tyshida Williams, 31, on July 30 on the 4000 block of South Capitol Street, SW.  Responding officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Williams dead from a gunshot to the head and Sims behaving hysterically.

Police also noted blood on the hallway outside of the couple’s apartment, bloody clothing and a trail of blood leading out of a bedroom. Inside the bedroom, according to the police report,  there was “a large pool of coagulated blood” and a Glock handgun on top of the bed next to a bloody pillow.

Reviewing surveillance footage of the apartment garage the morning of the crime, police say Sims “grabs [Williams] by the hair and tosses her to the ground…then kicks [Williams] with his left leg in what appears to be the stomach/upper chest area.”

At issue apparently was information on Williams’ cell phone and she and Sims are observed struggling over the device. Police say at no time during the assault did Williams, a special police officer who owned a handgun, fight back. 

According to a witness, the couple had been in a failed romantic relationship but had briefly reconciled before the July 30 argument.

During the hearing, a family member of the victim detailed what she says was Sims’ “tormenting them on the internet” and falsely saying that Williams committed suicide.  The family described Sims as having a “hot temper” and they’re worried he knows a lot about them.  

In Sims’ account, Williams had a gun and when Sims tried to grab it she snatched it back. 

Arguing against Sims release, the prosecutor described a fugue of violence Sims wreaked on Williams for ninety minutes.  “He slammed her to the ground, kicked her and took her cell phone…all about her sleeping with another man.”  The prosecutor described the crime as “incredibly egregious.”  

The prosecutor also noted four other incidents in which Sims was allegedly involved in domestic violence and he illegally possessed a firearm and four ammunition magazines.  He is further accused of harassing a witness in the Williams’ case.  A review of DC court records shows Sims has been a defendant in numerous domestic violence prosecutions dating back to 2013.

Sims’ defense attorney Quo Mieko Judkins pointed out he had been released for three months and hadn’t harassed Williams’ family.

Judge Epstein called Sims’ criminal history “extremely troubling” and offered his condolences to the Williams’ family for their loss.  

The judge also noted that witnesses in the case felt they were “at mortal risk” and  ordered Sims be held because there was no “rebuttable presumption” that he wouldn’t be a threat to the community.  

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 4 at 9:30 a.m.

.