This story has been updated with additional information.
Martinez Williams, a 32-year-old Akron man, is facing life in prison after Summit County jurors found him guilty on May 26 of shooting 24-year-old Ontario Bradley.
Bradley was Yvette McIntyre-Allen’s only child. Jurors handed down the verdict after a week-long trial that saw Williams argue self-defense.
“It’s bittersweet,” said McIntyre-Allen, who took the stand during the trial to briefly talk about herself and Bradley. “Part of me has a little sympathy for (Williams).
No one showed up to support Williams during the trial, she said hours after the verdict. Although McIntyre-Allen has not forgiven Williams, she understands what it feels like to be alone. For that, she has sympathy for the man who killed her son.
Summit County jurors found Williams guilty of murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence and two three-year firearm specifications. Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Tammy O’Brien found him guilty of having weapons under disability.
Represented by attorneys Amanda Bizub, Seneca Konturas and Edan Konturas, Williams will be sentenced at 1 p.m. on June 1.
Goodyear Heights shooting occurred almost one year ago
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of May 31, 2025, inside an apartment on Darrow Road in Akron’s Goodyear Heights neighborhood.
Summit County prosecutors said that as Williams attempted to “aggressively” remove a partygoer, Bradley intervened. That’s when Williams fired his gun twice, fatally striking Bradley once. Williams fled the scene.
When Akron police arrived at an apartment complex at about 3:42 a.m. on May 31, 2025, they found Bradley with a gunshot wound to the torso. After providing emergency first aid, Bradley was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Williams turned himself in to Akron police the next day.
Martinez Williams maintains he acted in self-defense
Minutes after the verdict, Williams leaned forward, turned on his microphone and told O’Brien that he found case law that he believed would ultimately exonerate him. The incident, he said, began when Bradley attacked him.
“The jury obviously got it wrong. I didn’t murder him. I had no choice but to defend myself,” Williams said. “Tario was my friend. I didn’t mean to kill him. I didn’t mean it. I don’t deserve a life sentence.”
Ontario Bradley’s family speaks after guilty verdict
Robert Allen III sat through the entire trial, including the 911 call and the medical examiner’s report. To grieve, he has to know and see everything, he said. When his two sons, Javan and Markus Rogers, were killed 90 days apart, he had to see their autopsies and understand how they died.
“Everyone grieves differently,” Allen said.
McIntyre-Allen said grieving has no time limit, but she hopes that her family and Bradley’s friends can find healing after this trial.
Bryce Buyakie is an Akron-based reporter who covers the courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron man found guilty of shooting, killing Ontario Bradley
Reporting by Bryce Buyakie, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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