In the late summer of 2014, a tragic event unfolded in the Shawnee neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, that cut short a life just as it was beginning. On the evening of August 27th, 16-month-old Neriah Miller was sitting on her grandmother's front porch on the 100 block of North 37th Street. The simple, everyday moment was shattered by the sound of gunfire. In the violent outburst, both Neriah and her mother were struck by bullets.
While her mother survived her injuries, the young female child was fatally wounded.
The senseless act of violence sent ripples of grief and outrage through the community. In the wake of the shooting, family and friends remembered Neriah as a vibrant and happy child who loved to dance. Her parents, Cierra Twyman and William Miller, spoke of their profound loss and the joy their daughter brought to their lives in her short time. The community rallied around the grieving family, holding vigils and memorial events to honor the memory of the little girl whose life was so violently stolen.
An investigation into the shooting led to the identification of five male suspects. Authorities charged Trey Anderson, Michael Dunn Junior, William McLeMore, DeMarkus Tramber, and Duwan Mason, Jr. with Neriah's murder. While four of the suspects were taken into custody, Duwan Mason, Jr. remained at large for a period of time. Eventually, justice for Neriah Miller saw its day in court. Michael Dunn Jr. and Trey Anderson accepted plea deals in exchange for their testimony. Following their trial, a jury convicted William McLemore, Duwan Mason, and Demarkus Tramber of wanton murder, first-degree assault, and four counts of wanton endangerment for their roles in the death of the 16-month-old girl.
