In a tragic sequence of events, 26-year-old Apreona Q. Harris, a Black female from Syracuse, New York, was fatally shot in the head on December 15, 2023. At the time of the shooting, which occurred near the Rescue Mission, Harris was nine months pregnant. She was rushed to Upstate University Hospital and placed on life support. In a bittersweet turn, doctors were able to successfully deliver her baby boy.
Harris remained on life support until December 20, 2023, when she was pronounced dead following an honor walk for organ donation.
The suspect in the shooting was quickly identified and apprehended as 34-year-old David Kirby III. The relationship between Kirby and Harris was known to be troubled. Just two months prior to the fatal shooting, in October 2023, Harris had reported to the Syracuse Police Department that Kirby had assaulted and strangled her. An arrest warrant was being pursued based on her complaint, but due to what has been described as a 'paperwork snafu,' the warrant was not processed in time. The scanned document sent to the district attorney's office was reportedly incomplete, cutting off Kirby's name and lacking a full articulation of the charges. The paperwork was sent back to the police for correction, but the arrest was never made.
Kirby, who had a prior criminal record including a 2017 arrest for allegedly stabbing his sister and her boyfriend, was initially charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the shooting of Harris. Following her death, it was anticipated that the charges would be upgraded to murder. Kirby pleaded not guilty to the initial charges and was scheduled for a psychological evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial. Harris was remembered by her family as a vibrant and creative woman who had aspirations of becoming an actor. A mother of four, she was known for her faith and her passion for helping others.
