Denise Nicole Stevens, a 29-year-old female, was killed on January 28, 2018, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known affectionately as 'Nisey,' she was a graduate of Central High School, Class of 2007, and was described as a loving and devoted mother to her three sons.
Her death occurred during a home invasion robbery that was orchestrated through the social media app Snapchat.
Two men, Elijah Bowman, 20, and Amir Hassan Spears, 20, arranged a drug transaction with the intent of robbing the residents. During the supposed deal, Spears entered the house with an AR-15 assault rifle and began shooting. This prompted Bowman to also fire a handgun, resulting in two other people being wounded.
In the midst of the chaos, Denise Stevens sought refuge in her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Tragically, she was fatally shot through the closed door. After the shooting, Bowman and Spears fled the residence with 8 ounces of marijuana, $25,000 in cash, and another AR-15 rifle.
Following an investigation, both Elijah Bowman and Amir Hassan Spears were arrested and charged. In December 2019, a jury found them guilty of first-degree murder and other charges. Both men were sentenced to life in prison, with the stipulation that they must serve a minimum of 51 years before becoming eligible for parole. In February 2020, Bowman received an additional 12-year sentence for two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the injuries sustained by the other two victims.
