Community Grieves as Columbia Family Seeks Answers After Tragic Death
Columbia, S.C. – This past week, a tragic event has left the community in shock and mourning. The tragic death of a 23-year-old woman, Tierra Hamer, has raised questions about domestic violence and the responsibility of local authorities to respond effectively in such situations. As her mother Shanequa Scott face this heart-wrenching loss, she is sharing her daughter’s story, hoping to shine a light on the struggles many face in abusive relationships.
A Mother’s Grief and Call for Awareness
In an emotional interview, Scott opened up about her pain, saying, “I’m hurt, I’m broken, I’m angry, I’m disappointed. It just doesn’t feel real at all. It’s been horrible.” Tierra had recently celebrated her 23rd birthday just days before her untimely death, which she feared might happen due to an ongoing domestic violence situation.
Friends and neighbors recount the fears Hamer expressed regarding her relationship with an ex-boyfriend. Scott emphasizes that her daughter was the **victim** and not the **criminal** in this heartbreaking narrative. “I just want everyone to know that my daughter was not the criminal, my daughter is the victim,” she stated emphatically. “I want other young ladies… to reach out and get help. You don’t have to be quiet; you’re not alone.”
Attempts for Help Were Ignored
Scott and her attorney Simone Martin met with Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott on Tuesday to review body camera footage from the day of Hamer’s death, which occurred on September 11. This footage included footage from three days earlier when she called 911, claiming her ex-boyfriend would not return her car keys. Scott explained that her daughter wanted a trespass notice from authorities, but no such action was taken. “In the videos, you see a young woman who is terrified, yet frustrated that despite her many requests for help, no one came to her rescue,” Martin noted.
The painful reality is that Tierra was in a precarious situation. On the day of her death, deputies responded to reports of a civil disturbance near her apartment complex. According to the incident report, Hamer said her ex-boyfriend had damaged her car, and she expressed concerns for her safety. However, her calls for help went unheeded, and no arrests were made that day. The frustration and anguish reached a boiling point, leading to a series of tragic events.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
Minutes after the deputies left, video footage shows Hamer hitting her ex-boyfriend with her car before driving off into the Broad River. “My baby would have been here if they had just listened,” Scott lamented, her grief palpable. “She was crying for help. She called the people who were supposed to protect and serve her, and they failed her, and now I have to bury my baby.”
The loss is profoundly felt, not just within the family but across the community. Hamer was known as a **helper**, someone who had bright dreams of becoming a hairdresser and psychiatrist. Scott recalled a moment when a stranger shared how Hamer selflessly helped her during a car fire. “She just ran over, didn’t even know her, and started helping her pull her kids out of the car,” Scott recounted.
Seeking Justice and Accountability
Scott, along with her attorney, is determined to ensure that justice is served. They are pursuing an independent investigation into the circumstances of Hamer’s death and advocating for domestic violence victims to be taken seriously. “It should not take me burying my baby just to be heard,” Scott expressed, highlighting the need for change in how such situations are handled by authorities.
As the investigation unfolds, Scott is committed to being her daughter’s voice. “We still don’t think that we know everything, and we won’t rest until we get the full truth,” Martin stated. Meanwhile, the investigation remains ongoing, and Scott hopes that her daughter’s story will serve as a wake-up call for those in abusive situations.
Reflection on a Life Legacy
Hamer’s wake will take place on Friday, followed by her funeral on Saturday. As the community comes together to remember a young woman with a big heart, Scott urges anyone facing similar situations to speak up and seek help. “Don’t wait until your story can’t be told by your own voice,” she encouraged.
The tragedy of Tierra Hamer highlights the urgent need for awareness surrounding domestic violence and the critical importance of listening to those in distress. There is hope that by sharing her story, others will find the courage to seek help and support.
