Topline: The arrest was made possible after the suspect was identified in a TikTok video about the case.
Published: December 3, 2024 6:06 pm ET
Must Read
A Florida man who had been evading capture for years after allegedly killing his estranged girlfriend by shooting her in the face while she was holding their infant has been arrested following recognition by a tipster in Mexico.
The arrest was made possible after the suspect, Benjamin Williams—also known as “Bambi”—was identified in a TikTok video about the case.
Williams, 41, was taken into custody after more than three years on the run and charged with first-degree murder for the killing of 27-year-old Joana Peca. He also faces two counts of felony child abuse as the couple’s other child was in the backseat of the car at the time of the shooting.
According to a Facebook post by the St. Petersburg Police Department, the break in the case came when someone in Mexico recognized Williams from a true crime TikTok video and alerted authorities. The tip led detectives to contact the U.S. Marshals Service, and Williams was arrested and transported back to the United States. A detective from St. Petersburg and a Pinellas County deputy picked him up in Miami and brought him to Pinellas County Jail over the holiday weekend.
Joana Peca’s mother, Eleni Peca, expressed her gratitude at a police briefing, thanking the law enforcement agencies involved in Williams’ capture. “Starting today, Benjamin Williams’ freedom is over,” she said, adding, “He’s not going to see the daylight again. He’s behind bars where he belongs.”
Williams is accused of fatally shooting Peca on July 31, 2021, while she was sitting in her car near the Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery. Investigators said she was shot multiple times, including several times in the face, and died in the vehicle while holding her infant child. The couple’s four-year-old child witnessed the crime. Authorities said the children were “terrified” when police arrived on the scene.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway expressed his shock over the brutality of the crime, stating, “Williams goes up to his girlfriend, who is holding his baby in her arms, and he shoots her several times.”
He also suggested that Williams had intentionally lured Peca to the cemetery under the guise of meeting to see the children before gunning her down, according to an interview with WFTS.
Williams is currently being held without bond in Pinellas County Jail.
Chief Holloway commended the efforts of the St. Petersburg Police detectives, U.S. Marshals, and the ATF, stating, “While nothing can restore the life of a beloved daughter and mother to two young children, we hope this offers them some long-overdue peace and closure.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
TikTok Video Helps Authorities Arrest Florida Man Who Killed Ex While She Was Holding Their Infant
The arrest was made possible after the suspect was identified in a TikTok video about the case.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 3, 2024 6:06 pm ET
A Florida man who had been evading capture for years after allegedly killing his estranged girlfriend by shooting her in the face while she was holding their infant has been arrested following recognition by a tipster in Mexico.
The arrest was made possible after the suspect, Benjamin Williams—also known as “Bambi”—was identified in a TikTok video about the case.
Williams, 41, was taken into custody after more than three years on the run and charged with first-degree murder for the killing of 27-year-old Joana Peca. He also faces two counts of felony child abuse as the couple’s other child was in the backseat of the car at the time of the shooting.
According to a Facebook post by the St. Petersburg Police Department, the break in the case came when someone in Mexico recognized Williams from a true crime TikTok video and alerted authorities. The tip led detectives to contact the U.S. Marshals Service, and Williams was arrested and transported back to the United States. A detective from St. Petersburg and a Pinellas County deputy picked him up in Miami and brought him to Pinellas County Jail over the holiday weekend.
Joana Peca’s mother, Eleni Peca, expressed her gratitude at a police briefing, thanking the law enforcement agencies involved in Williams’ capture. “Starting today, Benjamin Williams’ freedom is over,” she said, adding, “He’s not going to see the daylight again. He’s behind bars where he belongs.”
Williams is accused of fatally shooting Peca on July 31, 2021, while she was sitting in her car near the Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery. Investigators said she was shot multiple times, including several times in the face, and died in the vehicle while holding her infant child. The couple’s four-year-old child witnessed the crime. Authorities said the children were “terrified” when police arrived on the scene.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway expressed his shock over the brutality of the crime, stating, “Williams goes up to his girlfriend, who is holding his baby in her arms, and he shoots her several times.”
He also suggested that Williams had intentionally lured Peca to the cemetery under the guise of meeting to see the children before gunning her down, according to an interview with WFTS.
Williams is currently being held without bond in Pinellas County Jail.
Chief Holloway commended the efforts of the St. Petersburg Police detectives, U.S. Marshals, and the ATF, stating, “While nothing can restore the life of a beloved daughter and mother to two young children, we hope this offers them some long-overdue peace and closure.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
TikTok Video Helps Authorities Arrest Florida Man Who Killed Ex While She Was Holding Their Infant
The arrest was made possible after the suspect was identified in a TikTok video about the case.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 3, 2024 6:06 pm ET
A Florida man who had been evading capture for years after allegedly killing his estranged girlfriend by shooting her in the face while she was holding their infant has been arrested following recognition by a tipster in Mexico.
The arrest was made possible after the suspect, Benjamin Williams—also known as “Bambi”—was identified in a TikTok video about the case.
Williams, 41, was taken into custody after more than three years on the run and charged with first-degree murder for the killing of 27-year-old Joana Peca. He also faces two counts of felony child abuse as the couple’s other child was in the backseat of the car at the time of the shooting.
According to a Facebook post by the St. Petersburg Police Department, the break in the case came when someone in Mexico recognized Williams from a true crime TikTok video and alerted authorities. The tip led detectives to contact the U.S. Marshals Service, and Williams was arrested and transported back to the United States. A detective from St. Petersburg and a Pinellas County deputy picked him up in Miami and brought him to Pinellas County Jail over the holiday weekend.
Joana Peca’s mother, Eleni Peca, expressed her gratitude at a police briefing, thanking the law enforcement agencies involved in Williams’ capture. “Starting today, Benjamin Williams’ freedom is over,” she said, adding, “He’s not going to see the daylight again. He’s behind bars where he belongs.”
Williams is accused of fatally shooting Peca on July 31, 2021, while she was sitting in her car near the Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery. Investigators said she was shot multiple times, including several times in the face, and died in the vehicle while holding her infant child. The couple’s four-year-old child witnessed the crime. Authorities said the children were “terrified” when police arrived on the scene.
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway expressed his shock over the brutality of the crime, stating, “Williams goes up to his girlfriend, who is holding his baby in her arms, and he shoots her several times.”
He also suggested that Williams had intentionally lured Peca to the cemetery under the guise of meeting to see the children before gunning her down, according to an interview with WFTS.
Williams is currently being held without bond in Pinellas County Jail.
Chief Holloway commended the efforts of the St. Petersburg Police detectives, U.S. Marshals, and the ATF, stating, “While nothing can restore the life of a beloved daughter and mother to two young children, we hope this offers them some long-overdue peace and closure.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
