Aiesha Shantel Summers, a 28-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot and killed on August 12, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incident occurred at the Tryon Park at Rivergate apartment complex, where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers responded to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found Summers, who had been shot.
The medical examiner's office later determined that Summers was 24 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
Edward Silk Garner, a 35-year-old man, was identified as the suspect in the case. Garner was charged with the murder of Aiesha Shantel Summers and the murder of her unborn child. The initial investigation revealed that the shooting was a result of domestic violence. After the incident, Garner fled the scene, prompting an Amber Alert for his two children, 18-year-old Edward Silk Garner Jr. and 1-year-old Aziyah Sana'a Garner, who were believed to have been abducted by Garner. The Amber Alert was later canceled once the children were found safe, but Garner remained on the run.
Nearly a month after the murder, on September 6, 2019, Edward Silk Garner was located and arrested by the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and a K-9 unit without incident. Garner was charged with murder and murder of an unborn child. On July 18, 2024, Garner pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a felon, and voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child. He could face up to 455 months of punishment. Garner has been incarcerated since 2019.
The tragic death of Aiesha Shantel Summers and her unborn child highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence. The case has brought attention to the need for increased support and resources for victims of domestic violence and their families. The community continues to mourn the loss of Summers and her unborn child, and efforts are being made to honor their memory and provide support to those affected by similar tragedies.
