Brandon Williams Jr. Obituary: Louisville Teenager Dies After Shooting

Louisville is remembering Brandon L. “Southeast” Williams Jr., a young athlete and 2025 graduate of DeSales High School whose death followed a shooting in Kentucky. Williams was remembered by his family, friends, teammates and coaches for his personality, athletic ability and the relationships he built during his school years.

His death has also led to a criminal investigation. Williams was shot on September 8, 2026, at a residence near the Bourbon and Fayette County line and died two days later, according to local authorities and news reports. An 18-year-old woman, Trinity Buckner, was arrested in connection with the shooting, and the charges were later upgraded to second-degree manslaughter.

This obituary brings together the verified information currently available about Brandon’s life, his DeSales career, his family, his death and the funeral services held in his memory.

Latest Update: September 30, 2026

As of September 30, 2026, Brandon Williams Jr.’s funeral-home obituary identifies him as 19 and says he passed away Thursday, September 10, 2026. The obituary states that visitation and a celebration of life were scheduled for September 24 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Louisville.

There is an age discrepancy in early news coverage. WLKY and WKYT described Williams as 18 at the time of their reports, while his published funeral-home obituary identifies him as 19. Because the obituary is the family’s formal memorial record, this article uses 19 while noting the discrepancy rather than silently choosing between the two figures.

The criminal case connected to the shooting has also developed. Authorities initially charged Trinity Buckner with first-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment. Those charges were later amended to second-degree manslaughter, according to WLKY’s September 23 report.

Who Was Brandon Williams Jr.?

Brandon L. Williams Jr. was a Louisville, Kentucky, teenager and a 2025 graduate of DeSales High School. His obituary says he played football and basketball at DeSales, later played football with the Louisville Thunder, and attended Jefferson Community and Technical College, commonly known as JCTC.

His identity was closely connected to athletics, especially football. DeSales coaches and former teammates described him as a talented player who also brought energy and leadership to the people around him.

His football number was 20, and his school community chose to honor him by praying at the 20-yard line during football activities. That tribute reflected how closely his identity had become connected to the DeSales football program.

Brandon Williams Jr. Early Life and Family

Brandon was the son of Brandon L. Williams Sr. and Stephanie Troutman, according to his published obituary. His listed grandparents include Sherry Williams and Donald Marbry, while Charles and Helen Seargent are named as his great-grandparents.

His siblings included Kristianna Williams and Brianna Williams. The obituary also names several aunts, uncles and extended relatives, along with cousins, friends and the group of DeSales High School friends with whom Brandon formed a close bond.

These family details are important because they show that Brandon’s life extended far beyond his achievements on the football field. His formal obituary presents him as a son, grandson, brother, relative and friend as well as an athlete.

Brandon Williams Jr. Education

Brandon graduated from DeSales High School in 2025. During his time at the Louisville school, he participated in multiple sports and became particularly known for his football performances.

After high school, he attended JCTC. His obituary also identifies him as a player for the Louisville Thunder football team, showing that football remained part of his life after graduation.

Brandon Williams Jr. Football Career

Brandon’s football career was one of the most frequently mentioned parts of the tributes following his death. WLKY reported that he was a three-sport athlete at DeSales, participating in football, basketball and track.

According to reporting carried by the Louisville Courier Journal, Brandon had a standout junior football season in 2023. He recorded 48 receptions for 834 yards and scored 21 total touchdowns, including receiving, rushing and return touchdowns. He was also selected to the first-team All-Louisville team.

His senior football season was affected by an ACL injury. The injury prevented him from playing his final football season, but his coach said Brandon continued to have an effect on his teammates from the sideline.

That detail became part of the way his coaches remembered him. His influence was not limited to what he could accomplish during a game; teammates and coaches described the energy he brought to the program even when he could not play.

Brandon Williams Jr. as a Team Captain

DeSales football coach Mike Jackson said Brandon’s teammates elected him team captain at the end of his junior year. That leadership role was significant because it reflected the trust he had earned among other players.

Jackson also described Brandon as someone whose personality could change the energy around the team. Even while recovering from his injury, the coach said Brandon’s presence around the players continued to make a difference.

Friends similarly remembered him for the impact he had on people around him. A prayer vigil held at DeSales after his death brought together people who knew him from school and football.

What Happened to Brandon Williams Jr.?

Brandon was shot on September 8, 2026, at a residence in the area of Houston Antioch Road near the Bourbon and Fayette County line, according to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office and local news reports. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died two days later.

According to investigators’ account reported by WKYT, an 18-year-old woman, Trinity Buckner, fired a gun inside the residence and struck Brandon while he was lying on a couch. Another person was reportedly nearby.

Investigators received conflicting accounts about whether the shooting was accidental or intentional. Buckner told police the gun discharged accidentally, while another witness reportedly told police that she loaded or racked the firearm and fired it while pointing it at Brandon.

Those conflicting accounts are part of the criminal investigation and should not be presented as settled facts. The charges were subsequently upgraded to second-degree manslaughter, according to WLKY.

Brandon Williams Jr. Cause of Death

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office reported that Brandon died from a gunshot wound to the head. He did not die at the scene of the September 8 shooting; he died two days later, on September 10.

The timing of his death explains why some early reports described the incident as a shooting involving an injured victim before later reports confirmed his death. His formal obituary records September 10 as his date of death.

Community Remembers Brandon

After Brandon’s death, DeSales High School became a gathering point for friends, teammates and members of the school community. A prayer vigil was held at the school’s football stadium on September 13.

Friends who attended the vigil spoke about the effect Brandon had on people around him. The gathering was not simply about his football achievements; those who knew him described a person whose presence mattered to his teammates and friends.

Coach Mike Jackson also remembered Brandon’s personality away from competition. He described him as full of life and energy and emphasized his gratitude toward his coaches.

One of the memories Jackson shared was Brandon’s habit of thanking his coach and expressing his affection before leaving practice. That personal memory helped illustrate why his death affected the DeSales community beyond the football statistics attached to his name.

Brandon Williams Jr. Funeral and Celebration of Life

Brandon’s published obituary states that visitation was scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3815 W. Broadway in Louisville. His celebration of life followed at noon at the same church.

The services were arranged through A. D. Porter & Sons Funeral Home – Southeast. The obituary also states that the family requested donations in lieu of flowers through a memorial donation arrangement.

Because those services have already passed as of September 30, this article treats them as completed scheduled arrangements rather than upcoming events.

Quick Table

Criminal Case Following His Death

The shooting that led to Brandon’s death resulted in the arrest of Trinity Buckner, who was 18 at the time. Initial charges included first-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment.

After Brandon died, the case changed. WLKY reported on September 23 that prosecutors had amended Buckner’s charges to second-degree manslaughter.

The available reports also make clear that investigators received different accounts of the shooting. Buckner reportedly characterized the discharge as accidental, while another witness provided a different account. The existence of those conflicting statements is why the allegations should be distinguished from established facts.

Brandon Williams Jr. Legacy

Brandon’s legacy at DeSales is closely tied to football, but the tributes following his death emphasized more than statistics. His coach and friends described him as a player who could inspire teammates and bring energy to the people around him.

His 2023 season demonstrated his athletic ability. His 48 receptions, 834 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns were among the statistics that helped establish him as a standout player at DeSales.

His ACL injury changed his final high school playing season, but it did not remove him from the team’s community. Coaches said his presence from the sideline continued to affect the group.

The decision to honor him at the 20-yard line also gives his former team a lasting way to remember him. His number 20 became part of the school’s tribute following his death.

Reader Questions

Who was Brandon Williams Jr.?

Brandon L. Williams Jr. was a Louisville teenager and 2025 graduate of DeSales High School. He was a football and basketball player, competed in track, attended JCTC and played football for the Louisville Thunder.

How old was Brandon Williams Jr. when he died?

His published funeral-home obituary identifies him as 19. Some news reports published around the time of his death listed him as 18, creating a discrepancy that should be noted rather than ignored.

When did Brandon Williams Jr. die?

Brandon died on September 10, 2026. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office said he died two days after being shot in the head during a September 8 incident.

What was Brandon Williams Jr.’s cause of death?

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office reported that Brandon died from a gunshot wound to the head. He died two days after the shooting.

Where did Brandon Williams Jr. go to school?

Brandon graduated from DeSales High School in 2025. He later attended Jefferson Community and Technical College.

Was Brandon Williams Jr. a football player?

Yes. Brandon played football at DeSales and later with the Louisville Thunder. He was also a basketball and track athlete and was remembered as a standout football player.

Who were Brandon Williams Jr.’s parents?

His published obituary lists his parents as Brandon L. Williams Sr. and Stephanie Troutman. It also names his sisters Kristianna and Brianna Williams.

What happened in the shooting involving Brandon Williams Jr.?

Authorities said Brandon was shot at a residence near the Bourbon and Fayette County line on September 8. An 18-year-old woman was arrested, and her charges were later amended to second-degree manslaughter.

When was Brandon Williams Jr.’s funeral?

His obituary listed visitation and a celebration of life for September 24, 2026, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Louisville. The visitation was scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the celebration of life at noon.

How is DeSales remembering Brandon Williams Jr.?

DeSales held a prayer vigil after his death, and the football program planned to honor him at the 20-yard line because he wore number 20. Coaches and teammates have also publicly shared memories of his athletic ability and personality.

Wrap-Up

Brandon L. “Southeast” Williams Jr. was remembered in Louisville as a young athlete, student, teammate, son and friend. His 2025 DeSales graduation marked the beginning of a new stage in his life, while football remained an important part of his identity through the Louisville Thunder.

His death on September 10, 2026, came two days after he was shot in Bourbon County. The subsequent criminal case remains an important part of the public record, but the conflicting accounts surrounding the shooting mean that allegations should be distinguished from established facts.

For the DeSales community, Brandon’s memory continues through the people who coached and played alongside him. His football number, the prayer vigil and the celebration of life all became ways for those who knew him to remember the person behind the statistics.

His published obituary also provides a fuller picture of the family he leaves behind, naming his parents, sisters, grandparents and extended relatives. Those family relationships, together with the memories shared by his teammates and coaches, form an important part of the record of Brandon’s life.