Pensacola man made false statement to purchase gun used in Carla Williams' fatal shooting
A Pensacola man pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer after giving a purchased firearm to a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Jason R. Coody announced that 42-year-old Tavaris East made false statements on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and form while purchasing a firearm in April last year.
"On April 27, 2022, East purchased a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer and checked the box 'yes' that he was 'the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm' on the ATF Form 4473," a U.S. Attorney's Office press release stated. "However, East purchased the firearm for Kennon Farrow, a convicted felon."
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The firearm East purchased was later recovered by law enforcement, per the release, after Farrow allegedly used it to fatally shoot his girlfriend, Pensacola State College mathematics instructor Carla Williams, inside a Pensacola Fitness on May 24, 2022, while she was working out.
A grand jury indicted Farrow of first-degree premeditated murder June 20, 2022, and he subsequently pleaded not guilty to the homicide during his arraignment June 24, 2022.
According to Farrow's indictment, Williams had an injunction for protection against domestic violence in place against Farrow. The document also notes Farrow was convicted of aggravated stalking June 26, 2012, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
The former Lady Pirates assistant head coach's death rocked the community, which led to a memorial service and tribute to her character as a teacher, role model and friend.
'Thank you for giving us Carla': Pensacola State College pays tribute to slain instructor
'The world is a less kind place now.': Colleagues reflect on life of Carla Williams
PSC women's basketball Coach Vicki Carson told the News Journal after the shooting that Williams "was one of the finest human beings" she had ever met.
"She was a community person, a very fun person," Carson said. "I got 100 calls from players all over the country she either played with or coached. The impact she's had on so many people's lives is just incredible."
Farrow's next court date is set for Jan. 18.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office press release, East is set for sentencing on March 30 and faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola man pleads to buying gun for convicted felon Kennon Farrow
