Pernell Sims, a 35-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to second degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of his former romantic partner, Tyshida Williams. The plea was entered before Superior Court Associate Judge Todd Edelman on January 9, 2026.
The incident occurred on July 30, 2023, in Southwest Washington, D.C. According to evidence presented by the government, Sims and Williams had returned to Sims’ apartment after 7:00 a.m. and began arguing about Williams’ phone. The argument continued for over an hour as they moved through the lobby and parking garage area of the building. During this time, Sims physically assaulted Williams by throwing her to the ground and kicking her in the chest.
After returning to his apartment where his child was present, Sims and Williams went into a bedroom and closed the door. Inside the room, Sims shot Williams in the left side of her head. She died from her injuries later that morning. In court, Sims acknowledged that he acted voluntarily when he shot Williams and stated he was not acting in self-defense.
Sims was arrested in November 2023 and has remained in custody since then. Judge Edelman ordered that he continue to be held without bond until sentencing, which is scheduled for March 20, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the guilty plea alongside Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. “This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma McArthur and Stephanie Dinan.”
