An Alaska family is mourning the tragic loss of their 22-year-old son, Steven Williams, who was shot and killed while working at a Speedway Express gas station on Monday. The suspected shooter, Isaac Beshaw, also 22, was arraigned Tuesday afternoon.
Steven’s parents, Donald and Tanya Williams, spoke with Alaska News Source about their devastation after their son’s death. “We didn’t want to believe it was true,” Donald said. Tanya added: “I still can’t believe it’s true.” They described Steven as a kind-hearted young man who was always offering to help others and who was just starting out in his adult life.
Donald expressed disbelief and a desperate need for answers. “I want to know why,” he said. “Honestly, there’s no reason for it, but I want to know why.” According to police, Steven was found behind the gas station counter with multiple gunshot wounds.
Nine bullet casings were discovered at the scene. Surveillance footage captured the chilling moment when the masked suspect entered the store shortly after 12:30 a.m. and shot Steven multiple times. Beshaw was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Authorities located Beshaw around 2 a.m. near his apartment complex, where he initially claimed to have noticed an increase in police activity at the gas station and decided to return home to avoid the scene. However, at 3 a.m., Beshaw allegedly confessed to the murder and admitted that he had planned the attack after a long-standing feud with Steven.
In his written confession, Beshaw claimed the feud had been fueled by rumors and indirect threats from Steven, prompting him to “end the drama” by taking Steven’s life. Prosecutors described the shooting as premeditated during Beshaw’s virtual arraignment Tuesday.
“There is nothing more serious than that,” the judge said, referring to the gravity of the crime. As legal proceedings begin, Steven’s family continues to seek answers and justice for the senseless death of their son, while the community mourns the loss of a young man whose life was tragically cut short.