April Gates, a 30-year-old blackjack dealer, was tragically killed on June 17, 1995, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Her life was cut short by a former boyfriend, Darnell Collins, in a violent outburst that also claimed the life of her mother.
In the months leading up to her death, April had been in a relationship with Collins, which ended in January 1995. The separation was followed by a series of events that escalated to a fatal conclusion.
In June of that year, April reported Collins to the police for a parole violation. This action reportedly angered Collins and led to a domestic dispute. Recognizing the potential danger, a judge issued a restraining order against Collins on June 15, 1995, prohibiting him from having any contact with April.
Tragically, the restraining order did not deter Collins. Enraged by the situation, he went to April's home in Atlantic City on June 17th. April was not there at the time, but her 51-year-old mother, Shirley Gates, was. Collins tied up Shirley and fatally shot her. He then placed her body in his car and drove to a friend's house where April was attending a birthday party.
Upon arriving at the party, Collins located April, who was seated in a chair. In front of horrified guests, he shot her once in the ear and twice in the stomach. Reports from the scene indicate that after shooting her, Collins yelled, 'Why'd you tell?!'. April Gates was presumed dead at the scene. Collins fled in April's vehicle, initiating a multi-state crime spree that resulted in the deaths of several other people. His rampage came to an end on June 21, 1995, when he was killed in a confrontation with law enforcement in Nutley, New Jersey. As the sole suspect, Darnell Collins, is deceased, no arrests were made in connection with the murders of April and Shirley Gates.
