Crime
Katherine Williams Killed in Sabattus Shooting, Remembered as Beloved RSU 4 School District Employee
The Maine State Police (MSP) is conducting an investigation into a fatal shooting spree that occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in the town of Sabattus.
The incident began at approximately 4:14 p.m. in the 800 block of Middle Road (Route 9) and resulted in four people shot, three of whom were killed, including the suspect.
According to investigators, 29-year-old James Davis III, a resident of Sabattus, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by his mother, 47-year-old Christine Smith, also of Sabattus.
While traveling on King Road, approaching the intersection with Middle Road (Route 9), Davis shot his mother inside the moving vehicle.
Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Following the initial shooting, the vehicle crossed Middle Road and came to a stop.
Davis then exited the car and began firing at passing vehicles.
One of the victims, 53-year-old Katherine Williams of Sabattus, was driving on Middle Road when she was struck by gunfire.
She was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased.
Two additional drivers, identified as 19-year-old Tyson Turner of Jay and 35-year-old David Wilson of Hartford, were each traveling in separate vehicles and were struck by gunfire.
Both men were transported to Central Maine Medical Center and are expected to survive their injuries.
Following the shootings, Davis turned the weapon on himself and died by suicide at the scene.
All three deceased individuals—Christine Smith, Katherine Williams, and James Davis III—were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where autopsies will be conducted to confirm the causes of death.
Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians from the Major Crimes Unit – South remained at the scene throughout the night, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
The Lisbon Police Department, Sabattus Police Department, and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance on scene.
The incident remains under active investigation, and additional details will be released as they become available.
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the shootings.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.