Dominic Williams, Bank Robbery Attempt, TN 2015

Dominic Williams, 37, of Los Angeles, California, is headed to federal prison for 37 years after a botched bank robbery that left a bank manager shot twice and fighting for her life. The violent attempt unfolded on the morning of March 18, 2015, in Humboldt, Tennessee, when Williams ambushed Pamela Janeice Frisbee in her carport before forcing her to drive to the BancorpSouth branch where she worked.

Armed with a Glock .40 caliber pistol, Williams confronted Frisbee as she prepared to leave for work. He rose from hiding and pointed the weapon at her, asking, “Do you want to die today?” At gunpoint, he forced her into the driver’s seat and ordered her to the bank. Once inside the locked facility, he made her disable the alarm and demanded cash from teller drawers. When she told him there was no money available, he escalated—ordering her to open the vaults. When she said she couldn’t, Williams opened fire.

The gunfire struck Frisbee in the chest and arm. She collapsed and played dead as Williams shattered the bank’s back windows with shots and fled on foot. Witnesses and employees immediately alerted the Humboldt Police Department. Moments later, HPD Chief Rob Ellis spotted Williams dumping clothes into a dumpster just a block away. The chief made the arrest himself, and the FBI was called in to take over the federal investigation.

After being airlifted to a hospital in Memphis, Frisbee survived her injuries and later testified in federal court that she was kidnapped, assaulted, and subjected to a firearm discharge during the ordeal. Williams, after being read his Miranda rights, waived them and gave a recorded statement to FBI agents. He led investigators to the hidden Glock .40 caliber pistol and admitted to the attempted robbery. Evidence recovered included the firearm, a mask, duct tape, and clothing matching witness descriptions.

“Dominic Williams’ greed and reckless disregard for human life led him to shoot a law-abiding citizen and attempt to rob a federal bank,” said Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. “This stern sentence is a clear reminder that individuals who decide to commit violent acts in our community will face severe consequences.”

Williams pleaded guilty in August 2016 before U.S. District Judge J. Daniel Breen to one count of attempted bank robbery and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. “This sentence should send a resounding message that violent crimes will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremy N. Baker of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office. “I commend the Humboldt Police Department for their immediate response and the professionalism of all agencies involved in bringing Williams to justice.” Humboldt Police Chief Rob Ellis praised the multi-agency effort and expressed hope that the outcome brings some measure of closure to Frisbee, who has shown immense strength in the aftermath of the attack.

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