Six Arrested in Fresno Teen's Killing; Robbery of Designer Gun Cited as Motive

Six suspects were lured Karim "Kari" Williams, 18, to an apartment complex near Marks and McKinley avenues in West Central Fresno under the pretense of a party, then robbed and shot him dead, according to Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto. Four months after Williams was found lying in the road around 11:21 p.m. on November 15, 2025, police announced the arrests of four adults and two juveniles.

The motive, Casto said, was singular: a customized pistol wrapped in a Louis Vuitton design that Williams was known to carry. "Further investigation revealed the motive for this murder, and that was the robbery of a Louis Vuitton wrapped pistol, known to be in Kari's possession," Casto said. After shooting Williams, the suspected shooter rummaged through his pockets while he lay on the ground. Casto said the suspects were acquaintances of Williams and described the killing as "an internal issue that resulted in Kari's robbery and murder."

The investigation that followed consumed more than 1,000 hours of work. "After over 1,000 hours of investigation, multiple witness interviews, 24 search warrants, both physical and forensic, six suspects were identified," Casto said. On March 12, authorities served multiple search and arrest warrants in Fresno and Tulare counties.

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp filed murder and robbery charges against four adult suspects: Kwame Pree, 20; Jaylon Black, 21; Josiah Rogers, 19; and Jaymari Sconiers, 20. Two juveniles, ages 17 and 14, were also charged with murder and robbery. Prosecutors say Pree, who faces additional firearm enhancements, could face up to 100 years to life in prison if convicted. Rogers and Sconiers each face up to 50 years to life; Black faces up to 25 years to life. Suspects may also face gang enhancements, according to investigators.

Black, Rogers, the 17-year-old and the 14-year-old were arrested during the March 12 warrant operations. Pree and Sconiers were already in custody on unrelated charges when the murder and robbery counts were added. Pree remains at the California Department of Corrections and will be transferred to the Fresno County Jail before his arraignment; three other adult suspects were expected in court for arraignment this week or next.

Smittcamp did not soften her assessment of those charged. "These are children, these are young people, these are young adults who are engaged in these senseless acts of violence," she said, noting the suspects ranged in age from their early teens to 20 at the time of the shooting.