Waltham woman charged with first-degree murder in 2024 shooting death

A Waltham woman was arraigned Friday on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the 2024 shooting death of a 24-year-old woman, prosecutors said.

Melanie Williams, 31, of Waltham, was ordered held without bail by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Lynn Rooney following her arraignment in connection with the killing of Zharia Wilcox, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell.

Waltham police responded to a parking lot next to a Second Avenue apartment building around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2024, where they found Wilcox on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined Wilcox was dating Williams and had been staying at her apartment, prosecutors said. On the night of the shooting, the two were reportedly fighting because Wilcox had made disparaging remarks about Williams online. Williams allegedly arrived at the apartment with friends and co-defendants Kaire Holman and Curtessa Franklin, and all three are accused of assaulting Wilcox in the apartment before leading her outside. As they walk out to the street, the defendants are alleged to have grabbed and struck Wilcox before directing her to an area of the parking lot adjacent to the building. 

According to Ryan’s office, witnesses reported hearing sounds consistent with gunshots, and Williams was allegedly seen a short time later at a nearby store with blood on her pants. Police recovered false eyelashes, fingernails, and .380-caliber ammunition at the scene, and found additional ammunition in Holman’s car and apartment. 

Ryan’s office alleged Holman had a .380 firearm registered to her and .380 ammunition was located in both Holman’s vehicle and apartment. Two days after the shooting, Holman is alleged to have engaged in a text message exchange indicating that Holman’s firearm had been used in the shooting.  The text message did not name the person who used the firearm. Holman and Franklin are also charged with first-degree murder.

The investigation was conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the DA’s office, and Waltham police. The case is being prosecuted by Carrie Spiros and Jamie Charles, with Kristen Chamberlain serving as victim witness advocate.