Octavias Lamont Williams, also known as "Whoodi," was a 37-year-old African American man from Orange, Texas. He tragically died on December 22, 2018, from a single gunshot wound to the torso. Williams was found dead in his apartment in the 300 block of 2nd Street, and preliminary autopsy results confirmed that his death was a homicide. Family members reported that it appeared Williams had been robbed.
The investigation into Williams' death led to several persons of interest being
interviewed by the Orange Police Department, but no one was charged immediately. The case remained open as detectives continued to gather evidence and seek information from the public. In April 2019, Keondrick Barlow, a 23-year-old man, was charged with Williams' murder. However, Barlow's first trial ended in a mistrial in September 2021.
A retrial was held, and in March 2023, Barlow was found guilty of Williams' murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison. The trial revealed that Williams' body had been moved within the apartment, and forensic evidence linked Barlow to the crime. The Orange Police Department and the prosecution team worked diligently to bring justice for Williams and his family.
Williams' funeral was held at El Bethel Baptist Church on December 29, 2018, with visitation starting at 11 a.m. and the funeral service at 1 p.m. His loved ones, including his daughter Bailey S. Williams, mother Pamela Jordan, and siblings, gathered to remember him and honor his memory.
The case of Octavias Lamont Williams highlights the importance of community cooperation and the dedication of law enforcement to solving crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. The Orange Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information about the case to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
