Nationwide — Kiriyanah Harris, a 19-year-old African American nursing student from Huntsville, Alabama, was found dead inside her home on Tuesday evening after a shooting. Neighbors say they heard a disturbing scream before officers arrived.
According to WLBT, Huntsville police confirmed Harris died from a gunshot wound inside the residence. Officers later identified an armed person of interest and located him the same night as the investigation unfolded.
Authorities said officers attempted to detain the man during a traffic stop. The situation escalated, leading to a shooting involving law enforcement.
Police said the man was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Officials also confirmed that no additional injuries occurred during the police response.
The home where Harris was found belonged to her mother, who lived there with Harris and her siblings. Officers and emergency crews quickly filled the area as investigators secured the scene and began collecting evidence.
A longtime neighbor, Joanie Barrineau, said she heard a distressing scream earlier that evening. “You could tell that something horrible had happened. She was screaming… crying,” she said. “I really wanted to go comfort her and pray for her because we knew that she was in great distress.”
Harris was a student at Drake State Community and Technical College, where she was studying nursing. Friends and family described her as kind and caring, and they continue to grieve her sudden death.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing as they work to establish a full timeline of events surrounding the shooting. Her family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her funeral.