On June 23, 2022, 31-year-old Aisha Nelson, a Black woman from Dayton, Ohio, was tragically killed along with her 6-year-old daughter, Harper Monroe. The incident occurred in their Burleigh Avenue home. Aisha had called the police multiple times that night, reporting that her boyfriend, Dante Hawes, had threatened her with a gun. Despite her repeated pleas for help, the responding officers did not take sufficient action to protect her.
Hours after the police left, Aisha and her daughter
were found shot dead in the basement of their home. Dante Hawes was later found dead in Alabama from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The family of Aisha Nelson has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Dayton, the Dayton Police Department, and the officers involved in the incident. They argue that the officers' negligence and failure to follow proper procedures contributed to the tragic outcome.
The Dayton Police Department conducted an internal investigation and suspended the officers involved for 160 hours. The investigation found that the officers should have completed a crime report and seized the weapon. The family continues to seek justice and accountability for the loss of Aisha and Harper.
This case has sparked significant public outcry and raised questions about the handling of domestic violence calls by law enforcement. The family's lawsuit is ongoing, and they hope to bring about changes in police policies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
