Mississippi man to serve 37 years in shooting outside Gulfport bar

A 24-year-old Mississippi man will spend 37 years in prison after shooting a friend in the face during a dispute outside a bar.

Antonio Jamar James of Columbia pleaded guilty Monday to 2nd degree Murder in the death of Deontravies Williamson on February 7, 2021.

According to court records, Gulfport Police were called to Skeeters Bar & Grill on Tegarden Road about 11:35 p.m. on February 7, when the found Williamson in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the face. He was taken to Gulfport Memorial Hospital, where he died a few days later.

James, Williamson and a group of others were at Skeeters. From surveillance video, James, his brother and Williamson got into a vehicle. Then the brother and Williamson got out and a fight ensued.

Then James, 22 at the time, is seen getting out of the vehicle with a gun in his hand. He stepped in between his brother and Williamson and fired one shot, hitting the victim in the face. The brothers then went back in the bar, leaving Williamson outside. A short time later, they came back out and left, heading south on Tegarden with the brother driving.

James and his brother were arrested in Marion County by U.S. Marshals. The brother pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and is awaiting sentencing.

Before sentencing, James apologized for his actions, saying he thought Williamson had a gun and was going to shoot his brother.

Judge Lisa Dodson spoke to the defendant about how his decision to use a gun in a fight has changed the lives of two families.