Redaja Williams, a 23-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot on the morning of August 13, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. Known to her friends and family as 'Juicy,' she was walking her 7-year-old daughter to the school bus stop at 10th and Chestnut streets when the tragic event unfolded around 8 a.m. Williams was in the company of her child and other children who were also waiting for the bus.
Witnesses reported that a young man approached and opened fire, striking Williams multiple
times. Her daughter was not physically harmed in the incident. Emergency services transported Williams to the University of Louisville Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Friends and family remember her as a devoted and loving mother who was a constant, caring presence in her children's lives. Her death occurred in what was described as a hail of gunfire, and she was considered an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
Louisville Metro Police are actively investigating the homicide. They have described the suspect as a young Black male wearing a red hoodie and black sweatpants, who remained at large following the shooting. Law enforcement had initially taken a 15-year-old into custody in connection with the shooting, but he was later released after it was determined that while he was at the scene, he was not the shooter. The incident was the second shooting to occur at that same bus stop in less than a week, raising concerns about violence in the community.
The death of Redaja Williams has left her family and the community in mourning, with many calling for an end to gun violence. A memorial of balloons and a teddy bear was placed at the bus stop where she was killed. Family members, including her sister and aunt, have spoken out about their profound loss and the traumatic impact on the children who witnessed the event. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with her murder, and police continue to seek information from the public.
