In Loving Memory of Henry Williams and Halayna Williams 🕊️💔
The community of Ferguson is mourning a devastating and deeply personal tragedy that claimed the lives of a respected public servant and his beloved teenage daughter. On the evening of February 21, 2026, what began as a reported medical emergency turned into an unimaginable loss that has left family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors in shock and sorrow.
According to authorities, officers responded around 6:15 p.m. to the 500 block of North Clay Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered an adult man and a teenage girl suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, both were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The victims were identified as retired Berkeley Fire Chief Henry Williams and his 15-year-old daughter, Halayna Williams.
Henry Williams dedicated years of his life to public service, leading and protecting others as Fire Chief for the Berkeley Fire Department. Throughout his career, he answered calls in moments of crisis, offering leadership, courage, and commitment to his community. Colleagues remember him as a steady presence — someone who understood the weight of responsibility and carried it with professionalism and heart. Even in retirement, the legacy of his service remained.
Halayna Williams, just 15 years old, had her entire future ahead of her. She was at an age filled with dreams, growth, friendships, and milestones yet to be reached. She was a daughter deeply loved, a young life filled with potential and promise. The loss of a child carries a pain beyond words — a heartbreak that ripples far beyond the walls of a single home.
Authorities confirmed that 61-year-old Linda Hayden, identified as Williams’ ex-girlfriend, was located locked inside the primary bedroom of the residence and taken into custody. Detectives recovered a .38 caliber revolver from the room, which reportedly contained three live rounds and two spent casings.
Investigators allege Hayden told them she believed she would be cast as the villain in the story and claimed Williams was a bad person. She has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. The case was presented to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and her bond has been set at $2 million cash only. She remains held at the St. Louis County Justice Center as the investigation continues.
Authorities have stated that the shooting appears to be an isolated, domestic-related incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Still, the emotional impact on the Ferguson and Berkeley communities is profound.
This tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly violence can shatter lives — not only those directly involved but entire circles of family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. It leaves unanswered questions and heavy hearts.
Yet in the midst of grief, we remember Henry not solely as a victim, but as a leader, a firefighter, and a father. We remember Halayna not for the way her life ended, but for the light she carried, the youth she embodied, and the love she shared.
To the Williams family and all who loved them: may you find strength in one another, comfort in cherished memories, and peace in knowing that Henry and Halayna’s lives mattered deeply. Their impact — through service, through family, through love — will not be erased by this tragedy.
Rest peacefully, Henry Williams and Halayna Williams. 🕊️
Your lives will be remembered. Your legacy will endure.
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