Corneshia Butler, a 31-year-old Black woman and mother of four, was a resident of Atlanta, Georgia. Her life was cut short in a violent act that ended a long and terrifying campaign of domestic abuse she had endured.
On November 17, 2022, Ms. Butler was fatally shot inside her home. The attack was carried out in the presence of one of her young children. Her other three children would learn of their mother’s death when they returned home from school.
The person responsible was identified as her former partner, Shakyia Perkins.
Ms. Butler and Perkins had been in a tumultuous six-year relationship that Ms. Butler had ended months earlier. Following the breakup, Perkins began a pattern of stalking and violence. In September 2021, Perkins allegedly used her car to ram Ms. Butler's vehicle in an attempt to run her off the road. Days later, Perkins reportedly kicked in Ms. Butler's door. The threats escalated dramatically when Perkins allegedly sent a text message that read, "Soon you will be dead, n l'll be in jail n that's fine."
Ms. Butler took legal steps to protect herself, securing a restraining order against Perkins. In October 2021, Perkins was arrested on multiple felony charges, including arson, aggravated assault, and terroristic threats, after she allegedly set fire to two of Ms. Butler's cars in her driveway. Despite the clear danger, Perkins was released on a $70,000 bond and ordered to stay at least 200 yards away from Ms. Butler. South Fulton police Chief Keith Meadows later stated his belief that Ms. Butler might still be alive if the judicial system had not granted Perkins bail.
Following the shooting, Shakyia Perkins was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and cruelty to children. Perkins later pleaded guilty to the murder of Corneshia Butler. She was sentenced to life in prison, bringing the case to a close.
