Family asking for donations after father killed outside Phenix City home

Nearly three weeks after a father of two was killed outside of his Phenix City home on 11th Avenue, his family is still trying to raise money to cover the funeral expenses.

The family created a GoFundMe account on Feb. 15, two days after 37-year-old Muhammad Williams was shot. As of Wednesday afternoon, the family is more than $2,000 short of their $4,000 goal.

The family planned to have the funeral service on Feb. 27, but the lack of funds forced them to push the date back.

“It’s hard that we have to keep him that long without putting him to rest,” said Raven Mann, the mother of Williams’ 11-month-old son.

Mann said she was in her home with her son when Williams decided to go outside to smoke a cigarette shortly before midnight Feb. 13. About 15 minutes later, she heard gunshots.

Williams was found outside of their apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Michael D. Prather Jr. was arrested at the apartment and charged with murder.

Mann is still struggling to understand why anyone would want to kill Williams, who she said was known for his kindness and generosity. She said he was also a great father to his 11-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son.

“He would give the shirt of his back to anybody,” Mann said. “That’s why it was a surprise for everyone who knew him.”

Anyone who would like to donate to Williams’ family, can do so by visiting the GoFundme page here.

This story was originally published February 19, 2018 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Family asking for donations after father killed outside Phenix City home."