Anisa Linette Moreno was a 26-year-old Hispanic mother of three from Tucson, Arizona, with another child on the way. Her family described her as a free spirit with an infectious laugh and a caring nature who loved everyone unconditionally. Anisa, who was 15 weeks pregnant, shared a special bond with her father and grandmother and was known for being cheerful and playful.
In the early hours of January 30, 2025, police responded to a call about a shooting at Anisa’s home in the 2700
block of S. Coconino Vista just after 3:15 a.m. A neighbor told authorities they heard a man and woman arguing shortly before the shooting, with the woman saying, “I want to go to sleep” and “You’re hurting me.” After hearing things moving around, the neighbor heard a loud noise. First responders found Anisa with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the back of her head. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died two days later on February 1, 2025.
At the scene, investigators identified 36-year-old Bariki Amani Hopkins, Anisa’s domestic partner, as a person of interest. Hopkins, who had been in a relationship with Anisa for about three months, told police that an unknown man had kicked in the door, shot Anisa, and fled. However, investigators found no signs of forced entry and discovered a single shell casing on the bed where Anisa was found. Hopkins, who smelled of intoxicants, claimed to be the father of Anisa’s unborn baby.
Hopkins was arrested and initially charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Following the deaths of Anisa and her unborn child, the charges were amended to two counts of second-degree murder. An investigation into Hopkins's background revealed an extensive criminal history that included convictions for misconduct involving weapons.
The case proceeded to a jury trial. In May 2026, a jury found Bariki Hopkins guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, acquitting him of two more serious counts of first-degree murder. In September 2026, Pima County Superior Court Judge Danielle Constant sentenced Hopkins to the maximum penalty: life in prison plus 32 years. He will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years. As of his sentencing, Hopkins remained in the Pima County jail awaiting trial on separate, unrelated charges.
