In the warm summer night of August 20, 2016, in Buffalo, New York, 25-year-old Shakila Cottrell attended a barbecue with friends near Shumway and Paderewski Drive. The gathering, however, took a tragic turn when a dispute broke out. As the altercation escalated, shots were fired, and in the crossfire, Cottrell was struck by a bullet. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries, her life abruptly ended in a senseless act of violence.
Another individual was also shot during the incident but survived.
Shakila, a female, was described by her mother, Monica Jordan, as a 'happy go lucky lady' who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Authorities believe she was not the intended target of the shooting. The years that followed have been marked by her family's profound grief and a frustrating search for answers. No arrests have ever been made in connection with her death, and the case remains unsolved.
Monica Jordan has been a vocal advocate for her daughter, pleading with the community for anyone with information to come forward. She has expressed her pain in knowing that the person responsible for her daughter's death is still at large. Despite the immense loss, Jordan has also conveyed a message of forgiveness, stating she would pray for the perpetrator while still demanding that justice be served. The Buffalo Police Department has a confidential tip line for anyone who can provide information that may lead to a breakthrough in the case.
