Adam Roy Williamson was a competitive grappler, aspiring MMA fighter, and enthusiastic jiu-jitsu kids’ program coach who referred to his team as his “babies” when he was shot and killed by an acquaintance in Carencro, Louisiana, on March 30th. A Gracie United and Team Juggernaut grappler, he was 20 years old at the time of his unexpected death. He studied jiu-jitsu under his father, IBJJF Masters Champion Lang Williamson.
“The kids radiated to him,” training partner Seth Darbonne told KATC News of Williamson. “It was more than just him teaching those kids. He would meet them at their houses and played with them. They were his kids. He cared for them.”
Williamson was reportedly killed by Jeremy Edwards when Edwards opened fire on a gathering of friends inside a Louisiana apartment complex called The French Colony. Edwards also shot and killed National Guardsman Dustin Wiltz as Wiltz jumped in front of his girlfriend Alyssa Barnes. Edwards, age 20, fled the scene, stole a car, and led police on a brief chase before crashing into a tree and being apprehended. It is unclear how exactly Edwards, who already had a criminal history at the time of the shooting, knew the victims or why he opened fire.
The shooter is being held on charges of armed robbery, auto theft, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated flight, driving under suspension, and two counts of first-degree murder
Williamson is described by friends and family as a serial jokester and exceptionally hard worker who used to lament that there weren’t “25 hours in a day.” In addition to his work as a coach and fighter, he worked double shifts at plants in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. His obituary jokes that those close to him knew Williamson as a semi-pro Chippendale dancer and rapper “despite being very average at both.”
As a fighter Williamson’s awards included “multiple State Championships, multiple Expert North America Grappling Association Championships, IBJJF New York Open Champion, Blood & Sand Fight of the Night Award, and Caged Warrior Championship Submission of the Night Award.
You can offer words kindness and condolences to the family at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.
