On the evening of January 6, 2024, a 33-year-old woman named Tenisha Nisha Butler was fatally shot in Frederick, Maryland. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Giant grocery store in the Urbana area, where she was an employee. Deputies from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 11:00 p.m.
and found Butler deceased at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation quickly identified her estranged husband, 33-year-old Frederick Owusu Sakyi, as the primary suspect. Butler and Sakyi were in the process of a divorce, and court records revealed a history of domestic turmoil. Butler had previously sought a protective order against Sakyi, citing instances of stalking. This protective order was intended to prevent him from contacting her or possessing firearms. Despite these legal measures, the situation escalated tragically.
Following the shooting, Sakyi fled the scene. Law enforcement, aided by witness information and surveillance footage, was able to track him to Columbia, Maryland. He was apprehended by Howard County Police within three hours of the incident. A handgun and a rifle were discovered in his vehicle at the time of his arrest. Sakyi was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and various firearm-related offenses. During his initial court appearance, he was ordered to be held without bond at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center. The case has brought renewed attention to the critical issue of domestic violence and the enforcement of protective orders.
