Keyanna Cherrell Gardiner, a 29-year-old woman, tragically lost her life on March 19, 2016, in Baytown, Texas. She was riding in a car with her friend at around 3 a.m. when the incident occurred. Gardiner, who was asleep in the passenger seat, was shot by her ex-husband, Allen Dale Edwards, during a confrontation.
Edwards, who was 44 years old at the time, had been divorced from Gardiner for over three years, and the two had ongoing disputes over child custody.
On the night of the incident, Gardiner's friend drove them to Edwards' home and allegedly threw an aerosol can to break a window at his house. Edwards, upon hearing the window break, told his mother to call the police but decided to take matters into his own hands. He grabbed his gun and chased Gardiner and her friend in his vehicle.
The pursuit led to a highway where Edwards shot at the SUV through his driver's side window, causing Gardiner's friend to crash. Edwards then exited his car and fired at least one more shot into the SUV, hitting Gardiner in the chest and killing her. He also punched the woman driving the car, who was later hospitalized and required reconstructive surgery.
Edwards was arrested by a Harris County Precinct 8 Constable's Office deputy who happened to be in the area. He was charged with murder and later convicted. In November 2023, a Harris County jury sentenced Edwards to 46 years in prison for the murder of Keyanna Cherrell Gardiner. The court determined that he must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the escalation of disputes into fatal violence. District Attorney Kim Ogg emphasized that there was no justification for Edwards' actions and that Gardiner, a mother of two, should not have lost her life.
This case serves as a somber reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and ensuring the safety of those affected by it.
