Gulfport man shot after meeting Facebook contact

Last week, a 25-year-old Gulfport man planned to meet up with a woman he met on social media, but instead was shot twice in the stomach.

News 25’s Veronica Bayona met with Tony Williams, the victim of the violence to discuss his experience.

The incident happened last Tuesday at about 2 a.m. at the William Bell Apartment Complex in Gulfport. Williams tells News 25 he had been talking to the girl through social media for about a week before he decided to meet her that night.

Once he was with her, she asked him to go for a walk with him. Shortly after, two men came around the corner and said ‘we got you, give it up’ and shot Williams twice in the stomach.

Williams says he fell to the ground, saw black, and decided it wasn’t his time to die. He got back up, got inside his car, and drove himself to Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Williams says that despite the horrible situation he faced, he remains optimistic. “I forgive them, you know I am not the type to hold grudges because I understand where I am and where we are from and the things we go through to make you feel like you need to do certain things. I have a second chance and I’m not going to look at someone like they don’t deserve one.”

Williams’ mother, Cynthia Malone, said, “Since he’s been home I’ve been so protective. It’s like he’s a newborn baby. I’ve been like, you need something, you ok? And just thanking the Lord that he’s here.”

Three people have been arrested and face armed robbery and aggravated assault charges in relation to Williams’ assault. He tells News 25 the two men who shot him are familiar faces that had visited the studio where he recorded music in the past.