Career Felon Joseph C. Williams Convicted of Federal Firearm Charges Following Daylight Shootout at Carter Howell Strong Park

Joseph C. Williams, 63, pleads guilty to federal gun charges after a shootout at a Tallahassee park. He faces 15 years to life in prison.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 12:01 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida

Daylight Park Shootout Leads to Federal Conviction

The legal proceedings against a high risk offender reached a critical phase this Friday as federal prosecutors secured a guilty plea in a case involving public violence. Joseph C. Williams, a resident of Tallahassee, admitted to illegally possessing firearms during two separate incidents in late 2024 and early 2025. The prosecution highlighted a particularly dangerous event at Carter Howell Strong Park, where a broad daylight gunfight erupted, endangering local citizens and marking a significant escalation in the defendant’s criminal activities.

Electric Bicycle Traffic Stop Uncovers Concealed Weapon

The initial encounter between law enforcement and the defendant occurred on November 19, 2024, when officers conducted a traffic stop for violations involving an electric bicycle. During the interaction, a police officer observed the barrel of a handgun protruding from the defendant’s clothing. Williams was immediately detained and the weapon was secured, leading to his initial arrest. Despite the severity of the offense, the defendant was able to secure a bond and was released back into the community pending further legal action.

Ballistics Link Injured Suspect to Public Gunfight

The defendant’s period of release was marked by further violence on April 11, 2025, when a shootout took place at a local park. Williams sought medical treatment at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for a gunshot wound to his foot shortly after the incident. Investigators subsequently searched a vehicle belonging to the defendant’s girlfriend, where they recovered a firearm and blood evidence. Technical analysis by ballistic experts confirmed that the firearm found in the car matched shell casings collected by police at the Carter Howell Strong Park crime scene.