Damiera James Tiesman, a 36-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on November 29, 2015, in Wilmington, North Carolina. The circumstances surrounding his death were both complex and contentious. According to reports, Damiera was shot four times during a confrontation at the Carolinian Inn on Market Street. The incident involved Alfonza Jenkins Jr., a 29-year-old male from Wilmington.
The altercation began when Damiera went to the hotel to meet Kellie Boatwright, a 22-year-old woman he had met the previous evening at a nightclub. Boatwright had asked Damiera to pay $40 for her room, which he did. However, when Damiera asked her to go shopping, she mentioned that Jenkins was in her room and she needed his permission. Upon Jenkins' refusal, Damiera reportedly pushed past Boatwright and confronted Jenkins with a gun. A struggle ensued, resulting in Jenkins wrestling the gun away and shooting Damiera multiple times.
The official account of the incident, as presented by District Attorney Ben David and Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous, concluded that the shooting was justified as self-defense. They cited witness accounts, recorded phone calls, and physical evidence to support this conclusion. Additionally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined that the gun involved was stolen and linked to Damiera. The DA also highlighted Damiera's criminal history in California, which included charges of felony possession of a firearm, robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily injury.
Despite the official ruling, Damiera's family, including his widow Jazmine Tiesman, expressed disbelief and outrage. They questioned the narrative provided by the authorities and pointed out that Jenkins also had a criminal history, which included multiple drug possession charges and assault on a female. The family felt that the portrayal of Damiera's past was one-sided and used to justify the shooting. They believed that the investigation was biased and that the true circumstances of Damiera's death were not fully explored.
The case did not result in any charges against Jenkins, and the authorities emphasized the need to address criminal activities in the Market Street corridor, particularly in the hotels and motels operating there. The incident left a lasting impact on Damiera's family and the community, raising questions about justice and the handling of such cases by law enforcement.
