Family Says Slain NCCU Student Was Victim of Ongoing Domestic Violence
DURHAM, N.C. — The family of 21-year-old London Powers, a North Carolina Central University student, says she had endured repeated domestic violence before she was fatally shot earlier this week. According to WRAL, her mother believes the tragedy could have been prevented if earlier police calls had been met with stronger action.
Fatal Shooting in Durham
On Monday afternoon, Durham Police responded to a shooting at Camden Pointe apartments. Officers found both Powers, a native of Washington, D.C., and 23-year-old Damien Tinsley with gunshot wounds. Tinsley died at the scene, while Powers succumbed to her injuries the following morning at the hospital.
Her mother, Tia Powers, said her daughter had been at the apartment to collect her belongings after ending the relationship. “She was focused on her goals, she was leaving,” Tia explained.
Previous Threats and Police Calls
According to her mother, London had called police multiple times during the relationship to report threats and violence. She alleged that this was not the first time Tinsley had shot at her daughter — just weeks earlier, a bullet had grazed her.
“When they get a call from a female saying that her life is in danger, they should show up and show out right away. Because maybe this could’ve been avoided,” Tia Powers said.
Remembering London Powers
Friends and coworkers described London as kind, generous, and full of promise. De’Andre Gainer, a colleague, said, “She wasn’t the type of person to cause any trouble. She didn’t deserve it… it was wrong.”
Investigation and Resources
WRAL reported that police are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting and have not released further details about the events immediately before the gunfire.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). For local assistance, the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers county-by-county resources at nccadv.org.
Do you believe law enforcement agencies respond effectively enough to domestic violence calls? Share your thoughts in the comments at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
