Devon L. Williams was at home in Buena Vista Township, Michigan, watching children when his ex-partner's boyfriend showed up at his door with a gun. The 33-year-old father of five had no idea what was coming, prosecutors said—a "cold-blooded, premeditated ambush" fueled by jealousy over text messages discovered on Burns-Cross' phone.
Background
Markeisha Burns-Cross and Devon L. Williams shared a child together, though their romantic relationship had ended by March 2023. Burns-Cross had begun dating Zakeem Jones, 26, an Indiana resident. The couple had been drinking one night when an argument erupted over Jones' conversations with other women, according to court testimony. What began as a dispute between the couple would soon spiral into murder.
Burns-Cross testified that she made plans to meet with Williams after the argument. But Jones, prosecutors said, had other intentions. He looked through Burns-Cross' phone and discovered texts she had exchanged with her ex-partner. Enraged, Jones demanded Burns-Cross make plans to travel from Indiana to Michigan—and he intended to accompany her.
On March 29, 2023, the couple arrived at Williams' duplex in Buena Vista Township. Jones was armed with a 9 mm handgun as they approached the door. When efforts to lure Williams outside failed, Jones followed Burns-Cross into the home.
The Charges
Williams was sitting at a table inside the residence when the couple entered. Upon seeing Jones, he tried to escape—but the front door was locked, prosecutors said. Jones then fired several shots at Williams, who collapsed to the floor and died.
"Devon Williams was unarmed in his own home and had no idea what was coming," a prosecutor told the court. "He lost a battle he didn't know he was fighting."
Burns-Cross and Jones fled back to Indiana following the shooting. She was arrested in July 2023 and initially charged with first-degree murder and felony weapons charges. Jones remained at large until September 2024, when he was extradited to Michigan after being released from prison in Illinois.
Jones was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and multiple firearm-related felonies. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In April, Burns-Cross pleaded no contest to second-degree murder. The original first-degree murder charge and weapons charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Burns-Cross, 27, was sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison. She testified against Jones at his murder trial.
Key Takeaways
- Devon L. Williams, 33, was shot and killed at his Buena Vista Township home on March 29, 2023, while babysitting children
- Markeisha Burns-Cross drove her boyfriend Zakeem Jones to Michigan knowing he intended violence against her ex-partner
- Prosecutors argued the killing was motivated by jealousy after Jones discovered messages between Burns-Cross and Williams
- Jones received life in prison without parole; Burns-Cross was sentenced to 10-30 years after pleading no contest
- Burns-Cross testified against Jones at his trial, providing key testimony about events leading to the murder
What's Next
Burns-Cross has begun serving her sentence. Jones' conviction and life sentence remain in effect. The case highlights how domestic jealousy can escalate into lethal violence, prosecutors said.