Symair Carson-Williams, a 19-year-old from Philadelphia, was convicted for his involvement in a series of armed carjackings that took place in the city early last year. Acting United States Attorney Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., announced the conviction on charges of conspiracy to commit carjacking, three counts of carjacking, and three counts of using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Carson-Williams was indicted on these charges in May 2024. Evidence presented at trial included video surveillance footage, cell phone data, forensic evidence, items recovered from one of the stolen vehicles, and victim testimony linking him to the crimes.
The carjacking spree began with Carson-Williams and three accomplices stealing a blue 2019 Honda CR-V from Lansing Street in Philadelphia during the early hours of January 27, 2024. Shortly after, they used this vehicle to commit further crimes. At approximately 5 a.m., they confronted a 67-year-old man at a Sunoco gas station on North 5th Street. Armed with handguns and wearing masks, they forced him to surrender his BMW under threat.
Minutes later, another incident occurred when they targeted a 34-year-old man parked on Shelmire Avenue. The victim was held at gunpoint while his Chevrolet Equinox and personal belongings were taken.
A third attack happened around 5:45 a.m., targeting a 54-year-old man at another gas station on Rising Sun Avenue. The offenders forced him to the ground before stealing his Honda Accord.
The defendant is awaiting sentencing and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 21 years in prison.
“Symair Carson-Williams and his co-conspirators thought nothing of terrorizing three innocent victims who’d just been going about their morning,” stated Acting United States Attorney Thayer. He emphasized efforts by law enforcement to address such crimes through initiatives like the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force.
Eric DeGree from ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division commented on Carson-Williams' actions: “Carson-Williams and his criminal associates terrorized innocent Philadelphians with this triple-carjacking spree using a stolen car.”
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. It follows principles focused on trust-building within communities, supporting preventive organizations, setting strategic priorities for enforcement, and evaluating outcomes.
The investigation involved the ATF and Philadelphia Police Department with prosecution led by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Branwen McNabb O’Donnell and Brian Doherty.