Woman Pleads Guilty in Fatal Shooting of Church’s Chicken Employee

Shelby County, Tenn. – A woman charged in the 2024 shooting death of a Church’s Chicken employee has pleaded guilty and received an effective 30-year sentence.

On Friday, Monica Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Anitra West. Williams also pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The charges stemmed from a July 8, 2024, shooting at the Church’s Chicken on Park Avenue in Orange Mound. Williams and West, who worked at the restaurant, had an exchange involving a food order in the drive-thru. Williams left the restaurant and later shot West outside the business. West was transported to the hospital, where she died.

Williams received an effective sentence of 30 years.

The case was prosecuted by Associate Deputy District Attorney Monica Timmerman.

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Media Inquiries:
Erica Williams, Director of Public Affairs
Shelby County District Attorney’s Office
media@scdag.com

Attribution Note: Unless specifically identified as a statement or quote from District Attorney Steve Mulroy, information and statements in this release should be attributed to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office or its spokesperson.