A 75-year-old man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after authorities said he fatally shot his longtime romantic partner and her sister in their Far South Side home following an argument. The incident occurred late Saturday, according to a March 11 statement from officials.
The case involves William Wallace Jr., who is accused of killing Phyllis Goolsby, 68, and Tuanna Thomas, 71. Prosecutors said Wallace had been in a relationship with Goolsby for 25 years and had lived with both sisters for three years at a residence on the 10400 block of South Peoria Street.
According to prosecutors, the dispute began when Wallace and Goolsby went to a bar around 9:30 p.m. After an argument over drinks, they returned home by about 9:45 p.m., as confirmed by surveillance footage. Roughly an hour later, Wallace called emergency services and stated, “I just shot two motherf—–s,” identifying himself and explaining that the victims were sisters.
When asked by dispatchers what happened, Wallace replied, “I shot them.” He further explained his actions by saying they “got on his nerves,” according to prosecutors. Police arriving at the scene reported that Wallace opened the door and admitted to killing both women. Officers found Goolsby upstairs with gunshot wounds and Thomas downstairs with multiple gunshot wounds; firearms evidence was recovered at both locations.
While in custody, Wallace told police officers he had no patience left due to his age. Under surveillance at the police station, he also left voicemails for relatives admitting to the killings. Authorities noted that Wallace possessed valid firearm credentials but had a previous weapons charge from 1974 that was dismissed.
Wallace has been ordered held in jail pending trial and is scheduled for another court appearance on March 25.
