ANDERSON COUNTY MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO 2ND-DEGREE MURDER
Clinton, Tennessee – August 11, 2025, Shawn Tyler Willis, age 21, entered a guilty plea on the charge of Second-Degree Murder and was sentenced to 30-years in prison to be served at 100%.
Willis was the subject of an investigation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. He had reportedly shot and killed his mother, while she was asleep in her bed after returning home from working a night shift. Willis became upset with his mother because she had taken his cellphone away from him. Willis protested with his mother about the cellphone being taken before she eventually went upstairs and went to sleep. Willis, a child of 16, at the time located a unsecured gun in the home. Willis used the gun to shoot his sleeping mother twice thereby killing her.
During the course of the investigation and interview with Willis, Detectives discovered several discrepancies with Willis’s version of events and Willis subsequently confessed to shooting and killing his mother. Willis was asked what his motive was for shooting and killing his mother and he advised he was upset that his mother took his cellphone and kept him from talking with his girlfriend.
The sentence in this case was heavily influenced by restrictions our State has placed on sentences for juveniles convicted of murder.
The family of the victim involved in the case were pleased with today’s entry of the plea agreement by Shawn Tyler Willis. Family members of the victim were present in the courtroom for the entry of the plea.
General Clark would like to thank Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, the Anderson County Children’s Advocacy Center, Assistant District Attorneys Emily F. Abbott, Kevin J. Allen, Meredith E. Slemp and the entire staff of the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office for their exceptional work during the investigation of this case and prosecution of the Defendant Shawn Tyler Willis. Victim Witness Coordinator Katherine Sellers aided in the prosecution of this case.
District Attorney General Clark remarked “This shocking crime demanded justice, and I am happy that it has been resolved as well as the law will allow. We remain grateful for the support of this grieving family that has suffered a wound that cannot heal.”
