A 19-year-old mother, Nalyn Reeves, was tragically shot and killed, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, amid fears she had voiced about her safety. Reeves had sought orders of protection against him on two separate occasions, indicating in her filings that she was “terrified” he would “kill” her.
Reeves was killed alongside another mother, 25-year-old Undrea Willis, in a Montgomery, Alabama home, with police stating that 20-year-old Tarus Giles—the father of Reeves’s 10-month-old child—was the shooter.
According to authorities, Giles gained entry by breaking through a living room window after the two women had locked the front door. He then proceeded to shoot both women in the presence of their children, who survived the incident. Sadly, both mothers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Reeves had previously attempted to secure protective measures against Giles, who was on bond for a third-degree burglary charge at the time of the alleged murders. In her filings, she expressed fear for her life, stating, “I am afraid that he is eventually going to kill me or, worse, hurt my child.”
Her first application for a protective order occurred in September of the previous year, during which she accused Giles of physical abuse and threats against her life while pregnant with their child. She recounted an alarming incident, claiming, “Tarus physically beat me from 9 a.m.–11 a.m., blacked my eye, gave me knots, busted my nose.”
Reeves described how Giles had threatened not only her but also her family, making bold claims of intent to kill her. She even alleged that he returned to confront her with a knife, prompting her to seek refuge at a neighbor’s house.
Unfortunately, neither Reeves nor Giles attended the court hearing for the restraining order in November, leading the judge to dismiss it. Reeves made another attempt to gain protection in the same month, following their breakup after the birth of their baby. She indicated that Giles had even pulled one of her braids out during one of their fights.
This second protective order request was also dismissed later, as the necessary legal papers had not been served to Giles, according to court records.
Giles was arrested on Wednesday and currently faces charges of capital murder, including two counts related to the presence of a child under 14, one for multiple victims, and one during a burglary.
A video released by the Montgomery Police Department shows Giles being taken into custody. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.
The Montgomery Police Department has not yet responded to requests for additional comments.
