Crime & Safety
Man Who Shot, Killed Girlfriend In St. Pete Cemetery Found In Mexico
The suspect fatally shot his estranged girlfriend in 2021 in front of her 2 children, including his infant son, St. Petersburg police said.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A man who fatally shot his estranged girlfriend in a St. Petersburg cemetery in front of her two children in 2021 was taken into custody in Mexico over the weekend, authorities said.
Benjamin Williams, aka “Bambi,” 41, is now in custody in the Pinellas County Jail.
He was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Joana Peca and two counts of child abuse, according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Thanks to the dedication of St. Petersburg police detectives and the invaluable support of the U.S. Marshals and the (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,) a dangerous criminal was captured, bringing justice to the victim's family. 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," Chief Anthony Holloway said.
On July 31, 2001, Williams convinced Peca to meet him at a cemetery in the 100 block of 60th Street North so that he could see his infant son.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
She was sitting in her van, holding their baby, when Williams shot her multiple times in the face and killed her, police said.
Peca's other child was sitting in the backseat during the shooting. Neither child was harmed.
After the shooting, a warrant was issued for Williams' arrest. With the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF and Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County, a reward of up to $25,000 was offered for information leading to his arrest.
Williams was also the featured fugitive on the show "In Pursuit with John Walsh" in 2022, police said.
Last week, someone saw a post on TikTok and called St. Petersburg police with a tip that Williams was living in Mexico.
Detectives contacted the U.S. Marshals Service and Williams was taken into custody and transported to the United States.
A St. Petersburg detective and a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy drove to Miami to pick him up and bring Williams to the Pinellas County Jail over the holiday weekend.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
