On a summer evening in Norfolk, Virginia, the life of 15-year-old Dejana 'Kiki' Leary was tragically cut short. On July 22, 2018, the vibrant teenager, who dreamed of becoming a pediatrician, was sitting in her parked SUV outside her boyfriend's home. In an instant, a senseless act of violence shattered the night's calm and ended a promising young life.
Dejana, a rising eleventh-grader at Maury High School, was known for her joyful spirit, infectious smile, and the positive impact she had on everyone who knew her.
The investigation into her death revealed a case of mistaken identity and a dispute that had nothing to do with Dejana. The assailant, Deiontrae Bates, had reportedly been targeting another individual, a man he believed was involved with the mother of his child. Bates fired into the vehicle where the man had sought refuge, but the bullets struck Dejana, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. The community was left to mourn a young woman remembered for her kindness, ambition, and the happiness she brought to those around her.
In the wake of the tragedy, Deiontrae Bates was arrested and faced legal proceedings. He was ultimately charged with second-degree murder. In the summer of 2021, Bates entered into a plea agreement, which resulted in a sentence of 24 years for the murder charge. An additional two years were added for probation violations related to a prior armed robbery conviction, bringing his total active prison sentence to 26 years. While the legal process brought a conviction, Dejana's family expressed that the sentence did not feel like adequate justice for the immense loss they had endured.
