BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It's been two years since the death of Akeda Howton. The 40-year-old was shot and killed by the father of her child in the summer of 2022.
Howton would've celebrated her 43rd birthday on August 20. Instead, her family celebrated her through a balloon release to remember her precious life cut short.
"She could retain things. She was smart," said her mother, Anita Howton. "She would beat me at Jeopardy every night. Although, I wouldn't let her think that she beat me. But she would."
Town of Tonawanda Police said Akeda was found shot several times inside a parked car outside the Raintree Apartments.
Her death sparked a conversation on domestic violence. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Her cousin, Taniqua McDuffie, is working on a documentary, shedding light on Howton's death to help others become more aware of domestic violence.
"A lot of women, especially in an African American community that this is happening to, don't know the signs or they're in a relationship and they're not being able to get out of it," McDuffie said. "I think this documentary will really show the signs and what to do when you're in this situation."
"I want young women to find a way to be able to recognize when they are with someone who is a narcissist or recognizes if there's help if you're in a domestic violence relationship," Anita added.
The documentary is still in its early stages. McDuffie says she expects to complete it by 2025.
"Right now, I'm just kind of doing a lot of interviews with family and friends and people that are close to her," she said.
Howton's son, Kannon Legacy Howton, was born prematurely and was only one pound and one ounce at the time of her death. He's now a toddler and is full of life.
Akeda Howton's family hosts a fundraiser to help meet the needs of her 12-week-old in NICU.
"Akeda was a shining star. I don't know how she gathered so many friends and so many people that loved her, but she had friends from everywhere and I didn't realize it until she passed, how many friends she had. She has a friend that comes to the cemetery and lays flowers there almost every month," Anita explained. "She was just a well-rounded, good person, loyal to her friends, and they were loyal to her and they still are. They help me with Kannon. My son, I don't know what I would do without him."
Help and resources are always available if you or someone you know may be a victim of domestic violence, including the Family Justice Center at (716) 558-7233, Haven House at (716) 884-6000 and the National Domestic Violence Help Line at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" at 88788.
