Alabama Young Mother Killed After Twice Seeking Protection From Ex-Boyfriend

A 19-year-old Alabama mother who had twice sought a protection order against her former boyfriend was fatally shot alongside another woman at a Montgomery home, authorities said.

Nalyn Reeves, 19, and 25-year-old Undrea Willis were killed on August 31 at a residence in Montgomery. The suspect, Tarus Giles, Reeves’ former boyfriend and the father of her 10-month-old child, was arrested on September 2.

Giles is facing multiple counts of capital murder, including allegations involving the deaths of multiple people, the killing of a person in the presence of a child under 14, and a killing committed during a burglary.

Reeves Had Previously Sought Protection

Court records reveal that Reeves had sought legal protection from Giles on two separate occasions before her death.

In one petition, Reeves said she was “terrified” and feared Giles would eventually kill her or harm their child.

She also alleged that Giles assaulted her while she was pregnant, leaving her with a black eye, swelling to her head and a bloody nose. According to the petition, she further alleged that he threatened to kill both her and her unborn child.

The first protection-order request was dismissed after neither party appeared in court. Reeves later filed a second petition, but that case was also dismissed after Giles was reportedly not served with the necessary legal documents.

Suspect Allegedly Broke Into Home

According to police, Reeves and Willis had locked the home’s front door during the shooting. Investigators allege that Giles entered through a living-room window before opening fire.

Children were reportedly inside the home at the time of the shooting.

The circumstances have raised renewed questions about the protection Reeves had sought before her death and whether the previous court proceedings could have provided additional safeguards.

Investigation Continues

Giles remains accused of the killings and faces serious capital-murder charges. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to examine the events leading up to the shooting, the previous protection-order petitions and the circumstances surrounding the alleged break-in.

For Reeves’ family, the case has brought renewed attention to her previous warnings that she feared for her own safety and the safety of her young child.

Source: AL.com