Nivia Danner was a joyful 14-year-old Black girl from Gastonia, North Carolina, with a passion for life. Known for her big, infectious smile, she was a freshman at Hunter Huss High School and an active member of the youth group and choir at Destiny Church. Her mother, Deandura Danner, said Nivia had the voice of an angel and was deeply protective of her twin brother, Mar.
Her grandfather, Terry Danner, recalled that her life-long passions were singing, dancing, and spending time with her family.
On the afternoon of September 14, 2021, Nivia was with her twin brother and three others, including 19-year-old Santonio Azanier Eskridge, who was driving. They stopped outside Rodgers Bail Bonding on North Chester Street to try and bail a friend out of jail. While they were parked, Nivia and Eskridge were in the car when a tragic event unfolded. According to court testimony, Nivia was playfully holding a knife toward Eskridge, and he responded by pointing a "rusty, old revolver" at her. When she slapped at the gun to push it away, it discharged. A single bullet struck Nivia in the chest. First responders, who had been called to the scene for a medical emergency, found her in the parking lot. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she died from her injury.
After the shooting, Eskridge fled in the car, a white Chevrolet Impala. The vehicle was found abandoned later that evening in the neighboring Cleveland County. Gastonia Police Department detectives quickly identified Eskridge as the suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody the following day, on September 15, 2021.
Eskridge was initially charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He remained in jail for nearly eight months awaiting trial. During that time, at the request of Nivia’s mother, a meeting was arranged in April 2022 so she could hear his apology directly.
On May 5, 2022, Eskridge appeared in Gaston County Superior Court and accepted a plea agreement. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and two related offenses. Addressing Nivia’s family, he apologized and said the shooting was not intentional, describing her as having a “good spirit, a good heart.” The prosecutor acknowledged that while the plea reflected Eskridge’s culpability, it could not reflect the value of Nivia's life. A judge sentenced Eskridge to a prison term of a minimum of eight and three-quarter years to a maximum of eleven and a half years. The case was closed as of his sentencing in May 2022.
