The jiu-jitsu community in Acadiana are mourning the loss of one of their own.
20-year-old Adam Williamson of Krotz Springs is one of two people who were killed over the weekend in Carencro.
According to police, Jeremy Edwards began shooting inside an apartment at the French Colony Apartment complex, killing both Williamson and Dustin Wiltz. Edwards faces multiple charges including, first-degree murder.
Monday evening, Williamson’s family and friends reflected on his life.
“It’s rough,” Seth Darbonne said. “It’s not easy. We keep waiting for it to be a joke. He was always joking with us and it was hard for me to come to terms with it.”
Darbonne and Nakobi King both trained with Williamson. They say he took joy in teaching jiu-jitsu, especially to children.
“The kids radiated to him,” Darbonne said. “It was more than just him teaching those kids. He would meet them at their houses and played with them. They were his kids. He cared for them .”
King added, “He was one of those guys in the gym who would push you passed your limit.”
They say his legacy extends beyond Acadiana.
“He had friends from Brazil that knew him from competing everywhere and doing the highest level of competition that he could,” Darbonne said. ” He gained respect from all over the world.”
Now, King and Darbonne say they’ll carry with them the lessons Williamson taught them.
“If you were going through something, he would sit down and talk with you,” King said. ” Encourage you and get you through that hump,”
Darbonne added, “He moved a 100 miles per hour. He was in a hurry all the time. Everyone he knew, he made sure to grace them with his presence every day.”
