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TikTok video leads to arrest of St. Pete murder suspect after over 3 years of searching

TikTok video of ABC Action News story leads to arrest of Florida murder suspect
Joana Peca
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A murder suspect is finally behind bars after three and a half years on the run thanks to a TikTok video of an ABC Action News story and a Good Samaritan.

Benjamin Williams, who is also known as "Bambi," is charged with first-degree murder for the 2021 killing of Joana Peca, 27, and two counts of child abuse.

Related: $20,000 reward being offered for man accused of shooting, killing St. Pete mom in front of her kids

"Instead of going and finding a white dress for my daughter's wedding…I was going to find a white casket to bury my daughter," said Eleni Peca, mother of Joana Peca.

Authorities said that on July 31, 2021, Williams convinced Peca, his girlfriend at the time, to meet him at a cemetery so he could see his infant son. Peca was sitting in her van holding the baby when Williams shot her multiple times in the face, killing her.

"I'm always going to miss her smile. I'm going to miss my daughter being around me, being around her kids and playing with her kids," said Peca.

Peca's other son was in the backseat at the time of the shooting; neither child was harmed.

A $25,000 reward was offered for his arrest, and he was the featured fugitive on the show "In Pursuit with John Walsh" in 2022.

Now, three years later, Peca's family is getting justice.

"Three years and three months is too long. He was running, but he couldn't hide anymore. All eyes on him and now finally he is behind bars where he belongs," said Peca.

Recently, someone saw a TikTok video that contained ABC Action News' original reporting of the case and noticed the suspect who had been living in Mexico. That person contacted the St. Petersburg Police Department, which led to Williams' arrest.

Williams is being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bond.

Clearwater Senior Condo owners still waiting for elevator to return to service 5 months later

Residents at "On Top of the World" senior condominium have been forced to live without a functioning elevator for more than four months. The latest notice posted on the elevator stated that it would likely return to service on June 4, but by the end of the day, they were still left without service.

Clearwater Senior Condo owners still waiting for elevator to return to service 5 months later