News Summary
Zachery Jamell Williams has been sentenced to 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Wesley Colin Brown during a wedding in Columbia, South Carolina. The incident, which occurred in October 2020, involved surveillance footage that connected Williams to the crime. Williams’ attorney stated the sentence comes after nearly five years of custody.
Columbia, South Carolina – Former USC Student Receives 27-Year Sentence for Voluntary Manslaughter
Zachery Jamell Williams, a former student at the University of South Carolina, has been sentenced to 27 years in a South Carolina Department of Corrections prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of 26-year-old Wesley Colin Brown. Williams entered the plea on June 23, taking responsibility for the tragic incident that unfolded during a wedding celebration in October 2020.
Wesley Brown, a graduate of Clemson University and originally from Atlanta, Georgia, was visiting Columbia for a wedding when he was fatally shot on October 4, 2020. His body was found in the 1700 block of Senate Street by two passing individuals. Investigators reported that his remains were discovered near the intersection with Henderson Street, close to the USC campus. Brown was not found with any identification or personal belongings, and he was not accompanied by any members of the wedding party at the time of the shooting.
Surveillance footage revealed that a silver Nissan Maxima was parked on the north side of Senate Street just before Brown approached the vicinity. An area resident had reported hearing gunshots around the same time, and the Nissan was seen leaving shortly after. Law enforcement was able to track the vehicle’s license plate to co-defendant Xavier York Glover, who was subsequently identified as a key figure in the case.
Glover was apprehended after law enforcement located the Nissan in a local Food Lion parking lot on October 5, 2020. He was seen returning to the vehicle while wearing his work uniform and reportedly admitted to being on Senate Street during the shooting. Glover noted that Williams exited the vehicle and shot Brown. Surveillance footage also depicted both Williams and Glover walking to and from the Nissan shortly before the shooting occurred.
Forensic analysis linked evidence obtained from the crime scene to Williams’ residence, reinforcing the prosecution’s case against him. While Glover faced charges of murder and armed robbery on October 7, 2020, Williams initially faced multiple charges, including murder, armed robbery, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. However, the armed robbery and weapons charges against him were not prosecuted, and the murder charge was later reduced to voluntary manslaughter.
Williams had been evading law enforcement after the incident before surrendering in Florida on October 8, 2020. He was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with Brown’s death. After serving nearly five years in custody, his sentence was formally issued as part of the plea agreement. His attorney in the case is Jack Swerling.
The case against co-defendant Xavier Glover remains ongoing, with Glover currently held without bond. His attorney, Veronica Small, is preparing to defend him against the murder and armed robbery allegations. Investigators from the Columbia Police Department, including Justin Seay, Matt McCoy, and Nicolas Fortner, played key roles in uncovering the details surrounding this tragic event.
This case highlights the severe consequences of gun violence and the impact it can have on families and communities. Williams’ sentence serves as a part of the legal process aimed at addressing the tragic loss of Wesley Brown, who was cut down in the prime of his life while simply attending a celebration with friends and family.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Man Pleads Guilty to Deadly 2020 Columbia Shooting
- WLTX: Zachery Williams Sentenced in Shooting Death of Wesley Brown
- The State: Details on Columbia Shooting Case
- Google Search: Columbia South Carolina shooting 2020
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Columbia South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
