SPECIAL REPORT: Did the system fail Tamika Williams?
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Did the system fail 41-year-old Tamika Williams?
That’s the haunting question on one family’s mind after police say the woman was killed by her boyfriend.
Police records show multiple violent incidents involving the two, but despite this, the suspect was allowed to walk free.
On February 22, police say Tamika's body was found at an apartment off Pirate Coves Road in Naked City.
They say she was hidden under a blanket---with strangulation marks on her neck.
Police later arrested a man named Shaolin Duntin.
He was in a relationship with Tamika.
But this wasn’t the first time officers say Duntin hurt her.
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There were two domestic violence police reports----dated November and December of last year, where Tamika was the victim.
In both, Tamika told officers Dustin threatened to kill herand believed that he would.
In one, Tamika said Duntin “frequently chokes her out to the point of losing consciousness.”
In the other, she also talks about being choked, after an argument.
Duntin was charged both times, once for domestic violence and another for domestic strangulation.
However, court records indicate those charges were pleaded down to misdemeanors. He was given two days, in jail, along with time served, and told to stay away from the victim and let go.
But UNLV law professor Stewart chang says Tamika's story, is a pattern across courtrooms in Nevada.
He adds per Nevada law, the third strike with domestic violence is an automatic felony.
Only this time, police and prosecutors believe Shaolin's third strike, was deadly.
It’s stories like Tamika's that haunt Linda Perez, executive director of the shade tree, a shelter for abused women.
A crisis she’s seen skyrocket during the pandemic, as calls to their hotline have poured in.
A need from victims, that she says, far exceeds what’s available.
Meanwhile, the pain tina feels from burying her daughter is raw and bitter.
Money is tight raising Tamika's children. Tina didn’t even have enough funds to give her daughter a headstone.
But what keeps her going, seeing a familiar light and warmth, in her granddaughter's eyes.
And holding on to the light of her sweet “Meek Meek."
If you or a loved one are in a domestic violence relationship and fear for your safety, please know help and hope are out there.
There's a 24/7 hotline to call or text anytime at 1-855-385-0072.
