On July 18, 2021, the life of 44-year-old Tihomas Anderson, an African American male from Merrillville, Indiana, came to a tragic end following a domestic dispute at his residence. The events unfolded after Tihomas and his wife, Nakeyia Anderson, returned home from celebrating her birthday. What began as a celebration shifted into a heated altercation between the couple. As the argument escalated, it turned physical, resulting in a struggle over a firearm within the home.
During this confrontation, the weapon discharged, striking Tihomas in the torso. Despite his injuries, he managed to stagger out of the house into the yard, where he collapsed and ultimately succumbed to the gunshot wound.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found a chaotic environment indicative of a violent struggle. Inside the residence, a liquor cabinet had been tipped over, and broken bottles along with various household items were scattered across the floor. Investigators learned that the couple had a documented history of domestic disturbances, with police records noting prior incidents in April and November of the previous year. Relatives later described the relationship as volatile, citing past threats and issues related to heavy drinking.
Nakeyia Anderson was identified as the suspect and was subsequently arrested and charged with reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony. During the legal proceedings, the defense maintained that the shooting was accidental, asserting that the gun went off during the tussle for control of the weapon. Prosecutors focused on the trajectory of the bullet as determined by the coroner's report to challenge the defense's narrative, although it was noted that the police did not test the firearm for DNA or fingerprints because the individuals involved were already known. The case went to trial, where a jury found Nakeyia guilty of the charges. She was sentenced to a total of three years, with two years to be served in custody and the remaining year on probation.
