Aaliyah Johnson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for the 2024 shooting of Teville Williams on Church Street.
BURLINGTON, Vt. — A judge on Thursday sentenced Aaliyah Johnson, 23, to an underlying term of 20 years to life, split so she must serve 13½ years in prison before probation, for the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Teville Williams outside the Red Square bar in August 2024. Johnson changed her plea to guilty of second-degree murder in Chittenden County Superior Court after previously pleading not guilty to first-degree murder.
The case has gripped Vermont’s largest city for more than a year, blending a late-night downtown confrontation, security video evidence and renewed debate over firearms in bars. Johnson’s plea resolves a once higher charge that carried a far longer minimum. Judge John Pacht said both families suffered an irrevocable loss as he imposed the sentence. Prosecutors had sought a 20-to-life term served with at least 20 years behind bars, while the defense asked for eight years, citing Johnson’s age, lack of criminal history and trauma. The split sentence means Johnson will be eligible for probation after 13½ years but will remain under a life term if she violates supervision.
Shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, 2024, bar staff separated Johnson and Williams after a dispute that began inside Red Square, a nightclub on Church Street. Security video played in court showed the pair being escorted out different doors. Moments later, Williams walked onto the pedestrian mall. Johnson appeared around the side, reached into her purse and fired seven shots at close range as bystanders looked on. Officers and medics responded, and Williams later died at the University of Vermont Medical Center. “His children deserve more time with him, but his life was cut short by a decision Johnson made,” his sister, Renay Spence, said in court. Johnson turned to the family and apologized, saying she could not fathom their loss.
Investigators said the conflict started as a barroom dispute that escalated into a physical struggle before staff intervened. In court, Johnson’s attorney, Margaret Jansch, described a history of trauma and undiagnosed post-traumatic stress, arguing those experiences framed her client’s actions that night. Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George called the proceeding “one of the most painful” changes of plea she has experienced and said Johnson’s remorse was evident. Judge Pacht, at times emotional, told the families he saw “two families that, in different times, could have shared meals together and become friends” before noting his duty to sentence for a killing in front of dozens of witnesses. The courtroom was packed with relatives wearing T-shirts honoring Williams as both sides delivered statements.
The shooting occurred during a broader stretch of gun violence that alarmed Burlington residents and business owners. In the years since, city leaders have renewed an effort to ban firearms in bars, a policy Burlington voters approved through two charter changes, most recently last spring with roughly 87% support. The measure has stalled at the Statehouse amid concerns from Gov. Phil Scott about a patchwork of local gun rules. City officials have pressed lawmakers again this month to approve the charter change so the bar ban can take effect. Red Square sits on the city’s busiest block, where late-night foot traffic and security staffing have been under review.
Legally, Johnson’s plea reduced her exposure from a first-degree murder charge that carried at least 35 years to life to second-degree murder, which in Vermont is punishable by 20 years to life. Under Thursday’s order, Johnson will serve 13½ years before becoming eligible for probation on the underlying life term. Any violation could return her to prison. The defense highlighted Johnson’s lack of prior criminal history and her role as a mother. Prosecutors argued the shooting followed a clear separation by staff and that Johnson confronted Williams outside and opened fire in a public setting. The judge said a shorter minimum would better support rehabilitation while recognizing the gravity of the killing.
Outside the courthouse, relatives described a family still adjusting to the loss. Spence said the last 523 days had “been at a standstill,” a reference to the time since the shooting. Friends of Johnson, many in tears, said they hoped she would receive counseling and treatment in custody. Inside, court staff set up a screen to play the two-minute video timeline of the incident. Some attendees gasped when the gun appeared on camera; others looked away. Johnson kept her head down for much of the hearing and spoke quietly when the judge asked for her plea and later when she turned to apologize to Williams’ mother.
Johnson was taken into state custody to begin serving her sentence. Burlington officials say they will continue to press for legislative approval of the city’s charter change banning guns in bars. The next development is expected at the Statehouse in the coming weeks as committees take up municipal proposals. A case review hearing is not currently scheduled.
Author note: Last updated January 30, 2026.