In the Tacony neighborhood of Philadelphia, a domestic dispute escalated into a devastating tragedy on the evening of October 14, 2019. Max Alcindor, a 38-year-old African American man, was shot and killed inside his home on Hegerman Street. The violence of that night did not end with his death; his two young daughters, 4-year-old Maxillie and 10-month-old Damaya, were also fatally wounded.
The perpetrator was identified as Max Alcindor's 28-year-old wife and the mother of the children,
Damyrra Jones. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and contacted the police around 9:50 p.m. When officers arrived, they discovered Mr. Alcindor deceased inside the residence. The two girls were found critically injured and were rushed to a nearby children's hospital, but they succumbed to their injuries shortly after arrival.
Following the shootings, Jones turned the gun on herself in an apparent suicide attempt but survived the self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was found outside the home on top of the firearm she had legally purchased earlier that same day. While being transported to the hospital, Jones confessed to the killings.
An investigation into the motive suggested that the couple had been experiencing domestic discord, with arguments reportedly stemming from child support payments. Damyrra Jones was subsequently arrested and faced a series of charges, including three counts of murder and two counts of child endangerment.
