Mother, Sister Speak Out after Woman Killed in Whitehaven Shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A family in Memphis is in deep mourning following a devastating incident of domestic violence that escalated to murder. The incident took place on Thursday morning, where Asia Petties was shot and killed. Rickey Williams, the primary suspect, faces numerous charges, including 1st-degree murder.

Inconsistent Alibis and an Old Pattern

A statement by Williams claimed that he had dropped off Petties, his girlfriend, earlier in the night and discovered her shot in the hallway upon his return. However, police data contradicted his claim. Analysis of video footage and 911 calls revealed that it was only Petties and Williams who had entered and left their home during the period of the shooting. Williams can notably be heard saying, “I done threw my life away“ on one of the 911 calls.

The courts confirmed a history of domestic violence for Williams dating back to 2014. More than 16,000 cases of domestic violence were reported by the Memphis Police Department in 2023 alone.

A Victim and a Family Member

Action News Five undertook the heartbreaking task of speaking to the victim’s family members, her mother and sister. Sandra and Shemeka Petties remember Asia more than just a murder victim but as a beloved member of their family. Asia, a mother to two children and only a few weeks shy of turning 30, was, in Sandra’s words, her “A.”

On Williams’s violent history, Petties’ sister, Shemeka, voiced out a powerful statement, “Black women are dying from HIV and AIDS and by the hand of their lovers, we don’t have any protection out here.”

Both mother and sister assert that Asia was more than just a victim, Shemeka emphasizes, “I don’t want people to see her as a victim. She was mother, she was a sister, she was a granddaughter.”

Calling for Change and Protection

In the aftermath of this tragic incident and years of obvious red flags ignored, the Petties family wants to use their experience to save others from a similar fate. “Read the signs, don’t be scared to get out,” advises Sandra. Shemeka further insists, “This is not a sad story, this is a call for help. This is an alarm!”

The family urges women in similar situations to take measures for their safety and protection before it’s too late. Shemeka laments, “Something is going to click, only one thing’s left, he is going to kill you.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the bereaved family with the burial costs. A court appearance is expected for Williams this coming Monday morning.