Man kills ex holding baby in 2021, flees to Mexico, Florida cops say. Now he’s arrested
A man fatally shot his estranged girlfriend in the face as she held their infant child, then he went on the run for three years until he was recognized in Mexico, according to Florida authorities.
Benjamin “Bambi” Williams, described as “St. Petersburg’s Most Wanted,” is now in custody in Pinellas County on charges of first-degree murder and two counts of child abuse, St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said in a Dec. 3 news conference.
A TikTok video re-sharing a news story about the case led someone to recognize 41-year-old Williams in Mexico last week, leading to his capture, police said.
“Starting today, Benjamin Williams’ freedom is over,” said Eleni Peca, mother of slain 27-year-old Joana Peca. “He’s not going to see the daylight again. He’s behind bars where he belongs.”
On July 31, 2021, Williams got his ex-girlfriend Joana Peca to meet him at a cemetery after he said he wanted to see the 4-month-old son they shared, police said.
She showed up in her van holding their baby, with her 4-year-old child sitting in the backseat, according to police.
Williams is then accused of walking up to her car and shooting her in the face multiple times.
The baby and the 4-year-old were uninjured, St. Pete police said.
Williams went on the lam, and the case was covered on shows including “In Pursuit with John Walsh” and local news station WFTS-TV, accrording to investigators.
Last week, police said someone in Mexico saw a TikTok video reposting the WFTS broadcast about the case, and she recognized Williams. She went to the U.S. Embassy to tell law enforcement Williams was living in Mexico, then he was quickly taken into custody and transported back to the U.S.
Eleni Peca said that every parent dreams of their children celebrating milestones such as growing up, graduating and getting married.
“But instead of finding a white dress for my daughter’s wedding, I was going and finding a white casket to bury my daughter,” Eleni Peca said. “Instead of finding a venue to marry my daughter, I was finding a funeral home to say goodbye for the last time.”
Williams is being held without bond.
St. Petersburg is part of the Tampa Bay area.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Man kills ex holding baby in 2021, flees to Mexico, Florida cops say. Now he’s arrested."