Previously Convicted D.C. Man Sentenced to 45 Years for the 2022 Murder of His Children’s Mother

WASHINGTON - Wonell Jones, Jr., 38, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to forty-five years in prison, on charges related to the death of 33-year-old Audora Williams, in July 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"Audora Williams was shot more than twenty times with two guns, an act of violence as staggering as it is senseless," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "The defendant fled, but he did not outrun justice. His capture and return to the District make clear that those who commit this level of brutality will be held to account, and today he is going to prison for it."

Jones was found guilty of one count each of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon on July 16, 2026. Superior Court J. Michael Ryan ordered the defendant to serve the prison term of forty-five years to be followed by five years of supervised release.

According to the government's evidence, in the afternoon of July 19, 2022, Jones returned to Audora Williams' apartment, located in the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE, following a grocery run with one of her young sons. Surveillance video shows Jones entering the building and apartment with Williams's child. In the apartment, there were eight children including three of Jones's children, three of Williams's children, and a toddler and a baby, shared by Jones and Williams. Shortly after returning, Jones, who was not supposed to be at the home or in contact with Williams because of a temporary protective order she had against him, with a protective order trial scheduled just days later, closed the door to Williams's room and began a loud argument with her, accusing Williams of cheating. Jones' screaming grew louder and angrier and then gunshots rang out. Jones then partially stepped out of the room and fired more shots before fleeing from the apartment, leaving the kids behind. Ms. Williams was shot more than 20 times with two different guns. She succumbed to her injuries.

Jones was arrested in Florida on August 29, 2022, and extradited to the District of Columbia on October 26, 2022, and has been in custody since. 

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Zach Horton and Shaniqua Butler, who prosecuted the case. 

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