In the spring of 2015, the community of Selma, Alabama, was shaken by a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of 37-year-old Taffine Smith Berry. A mother of three and a nurse at a local family medicine practice, she was known for her kind and caring nature.
On the evening of Saturday, March 14, 2015, Taffine and her husband, Tra Berry, were attending a social gathering at a local business.
As they were leaving, an unknown assailant armed with an assault-style rifle opened fire into a crowd of people in the parking lot. In the chaos that ensued, both Taffine and her husband were struck by bullets.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the couple was transported to a local hospital. Tra Berry survived his injuries, but Taffine’s wounds were far more severe. She was placed on life support and fought for her life for three days before succumbing to her injuries on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Her death was officially ruled a homicide.
The Selma Police Department launched an intensive investigation into the shooting, but the case quickly grew cold. Despite numerous witnesses being present at the time of the incident, investigators struggled to gather information about the shooter or a possible motive. The community was left in fear and with many unanswered questions. In the months that followed, Taffine's family and friends organized vigils to honor her memory and to plead with the public for any information that could lead to an arrest.
Years later, the case of Taffine Smith Berry's murder remains unsolved. In a renewed effort to bring her killer to justice, Alabama's governor announced in March 2021 a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for her death. As of early 2026, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The family of Taffine Smith Berry continues to await answers and closure in the tragic loss of their loved one.
