The family of a participant in Youth Villages has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the organization.
Krystal Williams Buck is suing the organization following the death of her son Matthew De’Marcus Williams in 2025. Williams was killed in a shooting on April 9 following a meeting in Hickory Hill that was a part of Youth Villages’ violence intervention program, Memphis Allies.
Buck is being represented by The Cochran Firm Mid-South.
A spokesperson from The Cochran Firm said three armed men fired multiple rounds into the building and shot multiple people, including Williams who died at the scene.
The suit claimed Youth Villages exposed participants of its SWITCH program to “grave danger by failing to take adequate steps to provide appropriate levels of security to protect them.”
Support with Intention to Create Hope (SWITCH) is a service offered by Youth Villages in Orange Mound, Hickory Hill, South Memphis, Raleigh and Frayser. It aims to reduce gun violence and homicides, while also helping participants “reach their full potential.”
According to court documents, a 15-year-old SWITCH participant was killed two days prior to the events that resulted in Williams’ death. The victim was shot in the head while sleeping at his mother’s home in Hickory Hill.
The suit claimed Youth Villages failed to take the appropriate security measures following the shooting. The complaint alleged that Youth Villages operated the SWITCH program for financial gain as they planned to implement the program across the state and country.
“Youth villages, historically, has used Memphis and the Memphis community as a laboratory to monetize their projects and sell them across the country to other municipalities,” Howard Manis, managing partner at The Cochran Firm, said at a press conference held at the firm on Monday. “While Memphis Allies’ purpose appears to be noble, its implementation, operation, and supervision of the program, especially in the Hickory Hill area, was anything but.”
Manis said they would have no trouble making a negligence case, but they are also seeking punitive damages.
“They will pay,” Manis said.
Shean Williams, a partner at The Cochran Firm said they are seeking full justice and compensation for Williams’ family, demanding Youth Villages implement stronger security and safety measures and for state and local leaders to hold them accountable.
Williams said they’re also asking for a state and local investigation into all of Youth Villages’ programs.