On the night of August 29, 2020, in Chandler, Arizona, 47-year-old Danita Hunter was in her backyard with her 22-year-old son, Javien, when their evening was shattered by an unexpected and violent intrusion. An unknown man appeared and, without provocation, opened fire on them. The sudden attack left both Danita and Javien with serious gunshot wounds.
A neighbor was alerted to the horrific event when Javien, despite his critical injuries, managed to run next door for help.
In a harrowing 911 call, the neighbor relayed the terrifying scene as Javien recounted that a man with a gun had entered their backyard and shot his mother. Emergency services were dispatched to the home near Rural Road and Chandler Boulevard, where they found both Danita and her son suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were both rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, Danita Hunter succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. Her son, Javien, was left in critical condition.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Danita's family described her as a great parent and a driven young woman who handled a lot of responsibilities. They expressed that not just the local community, but the world, had lost someone who would have greatly benefited it. Friends remembered her as having a heart of gold and a pleasant smile, a woman who deeply loved her three sons.
For months, the case remained a painful mystery for Danita's loved ones. Investigators worked diligently, piecing together evidence from the crime scene. A breakthrough came when surveillance footage revealed a suspect fleeing the home on foot before getting into a silver or gray two-door Chevrolet Camaro. This crucial piece of evidence eventually led police to identify a person of interest.
On November 2, 2020, authorities arrested 22-year-old Nozre A. Ware in connection with the shooting. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail and subsequently faced charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. The arrest brought a measure of relief to a family and community that had been grappling with the senseless loss of a beloved mother and friend.
