Insets, clockwise from top: Karim Williams, the “Louis Vuitton” gun he was allegedly killed for, Jaylon Black, Kwame Pree, Jaymari Sconiers and Josiah Rogers (Fresno Police Department). Background: The secret kill location that Karim Williams was lured to under the pretense of attending a party (KFSN/YouTube).
In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, a teenager from California was brutally murdered after being deceived by a group posing as friends. The young victim was enticed to a disclosed location with the promise of a party, only to be fatally shot in a plot to steal his “Louis Vuitton” branded pistol, according to officials.
“It was wrapped with a Louis Vuitton wrap,” explained Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto during a Monday press conference about the gun that 18-year-old Karim Williams was allegedly killed for.
“The weapon was marked with the designer logos, making it highly coveted,” explained Detective Casto. “Our investigation points to this being the reason it was targeted by the assailants.”
The case has led to charges against six individuals, among them a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old. At a press conference on Monday, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp named four of those charged: Jaylon Black, 21, Kwame Pree, 20, Jaymari Sconiers, 20, and Josiah Rogers, 19.
“These perpetrators are young, just children and teenagers,” Smittcamp emphasized. “Yet they have committed this senseless act of violence that has devastated a family and a community.”
Detective Casto revealed that the suspects were known to the victim, Kari, and had orchestrated the ruse to lure him to the scene under the guise of attending a party. Tragically, his life was taken at the Park View Apartments in northwest Fresno, where his body was later discovered.
“They proceeded to rob and murder him,” Casto said. “The subjects had rummaged through Kari’s pockets after he was shot and down on the ground before they left the location in several vehicles.”
Casto said that “over a thousand hours of investigation,” multiple witness interviews, and two dozen search warrants — both physical and forensic — led to the suspects’ arrests last week. Two of the individuals were already in custody on unrelated charges.
“They’re being charged with robbery and murder, and facing possible gang enhancement charges as well,” Casto said. “Although this was not a crime amongst rival gang members, it was an internal issue that resulted in Kari’s robbery and murder.”
The gun that Williams was allegedly killed for was described as a “Sig Sauer pistol,” according to Casto.
“[Williams] was senselessly murdered over a gun,” Smittcamp said. “These senseless acts of violence are really just disturbing for all of us. Not only for Kari’s family and friends, but for the entire community.”
Under California law, when individuals participate together in certain felonies — namely robbery — and that act results in a killing, each participant can be held accountable for murder, according to Smittcamp.
“Justice in this case is now going to move forward in both the juvenile and adult courts where we will present the evidence and try to pursue accountability for Kari and his family, and continue to work to protect the community,” the local DA said.
Smittcamp told reporters that while the 13-year-old will remain in juvenile court, the 17-year-old suspect is now 18 and her office is working to transfer him to adult court, where he is expected to face 25 years to life if convicted.
“If he is not successfully transferred into adult court, his maximum [sentence] would be four to seven years,” Smittcamp said.
Pree faces charges of murder, robbery and firearm enhancements and could face up to 100 years to life in prison if convicted, according to Smittcamp. Black was charged with murder and robbery and faces up to 25 years to life; Sconiers was charged with murder and robbery and faces up to 50 years to life; Rogers was charged with murder and robbery and faces up to 50 years to life.