A simmering argument at a party on Kendall Street in Battle Creek, Michigan, tragically escalated, leading to the death of 23-year-old Tianna Hunt on May 24, 2014. The young woman, a mother of three, was fatally shot by her boyfriend, Richard Bozell, who was 27 years old at the time.
The altercation began at a party, after which Bozell left the residence only to return with a handgun. He then opened fire, striking Hunt twice and her sister, Jasmine Hunt, once.
Following the shooting, Tianna Hunt was rushed to a local hospital where she was placed on life support. She succumbed to her injuries after being removed from life support. Her sister survived the shooting.
Richard Bozell was arrested shortly after Hunt's death and faced multiple charges, including open murder, felony firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He ultimately entered a no-contest plea to the charge of second-degree murder. For the murder of Tianna Hunt, Bozell was sentenced to a term of 60 to 90 years in prison. He also received a concurrent sentence for the non-fatal shooting of Jasmine Hunt and an additional two years for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
During the legal proceedings, Bozell claimed that he did not intend to kill either of the sisters, stating he only fired the weapon to scare them during the argument. However, the prosecution contended that his actions were deliberate, emphasizing that he had left the party to retrieve the gun before returning to confront them. The court ultimately sided with the prosecution, characterizing Bozell's actions as being fueled by anger and cruelty. The case highlighted a history of domestic violence, as tragically, Tianna Hunt's mother had also been killed by a boyfriend in 2009.
