PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia officials announced charges Friday in a six-year murder case.
Sandrea Williams had just gone to visit friends in West Philadelphia on May 11, 2018, when a hail of gunfire erupted on the street — a war between two rival gangs, police said.
Williams, just 17, was killed, and two other teens, wounded.
Every year on that date, her family holds a memorial and prays that her killer will be brought to justice. This year, three days after the memorial, her mother got the call they'd been waiting for — a suspect was in custody.
"She called me and it was just like the night Sandrea died. The same scream but it was a sigh of relief at this point," said Williams' aunt, Naisha Rhoden.
Assistant District Attorney Jeff Palmer says police detectives spent the last six years trying to find the shooters.
"Detectives took an all-hands-on-deck approach toward this case and have not forgotten Ms. Williams and have been working in hopes of one day standing here to announce the arrest that we're now here to announce," he said.
Devin Bryant, 26, turned himself in Tuesday after learning he was wanted for the murder and is being held without bail. His attorney declined comment.
Bryant is facing first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and other charges.
A second suspect, Salik White, is being sought.
Rhoden said she always believed this day would come.
"I'm here to say God and time equals justice," she said. "To my family, it's been six years — six long years. But our tears and our prayers brought us to this day."
Editor's update, April 8, 2025:
In March 2025, Bryant was acquitted by a jury of all charges.
