On a tragic Sunday afternoon, May 21, 2017, the life of Antrese Bland, a 21-year-old Black/African American woman, was cut short in Wichita, Kansas. Antrese, who was seven months pregnant with a baby boy, was found deceased in her home located in the 900 block of Glendale. The devastating event was determined to be a murder-suicide.
Antrese was described by her mother as a loving and outspoken individual who was determined to create a better future for herself and her unborn child.
She had plans to attend summer classes with the goal of becoming a pharmacist, viewing education as a vital part of her and her child's future. In preparation for the new arrival, gifts for the baby were already present in their home. On the day of her death, Antrese had gone to a neighbor's house to use the phone, a seemingly routine occurrence.
The Wichita Police Department identified Antrese's 24-year-old boyfriend, Aris Brown, as the person who shot and killed her before taking his own life. It was reported that police had previous interactions with the couple in the months leading up to the incident. Brown had also been recently charged in a criminal threats case that involved Antrese. As the sole suspect in her murder, Aris Brown, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, no arrests were made in connection with Antrese's death. The community was left to mourn the loss of a young mother-to-be and her unborn child.
