Arrest Made in St. Pete Homicide

A 38-year-old St. Petersburg man faces second-degree murder charges in connection with a Jan. 19 shooting.

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, Willie Mathers Newton was brought into custody Wednesday. Newton had been identified by witnesses as the shooter in the death of Edward Williams, 47, police wrote in an email to media.

Police said Williams and Newton had gotten into an argument about a woman. Sometime around 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 both Williams and Newton were at 1151 10th Ave. S when the two began fighting. Newton is accused of pulling out a handgun and shooting Williams, who died later from his injuries.

Newton, who is described by police as a transient, refused to discuss the case with detectives when he was brought in on a warrant Wednesday. He was being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bond.

Photo credit: Willie Mathers Newton/Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office