Kiara Austin was 19 and a mother of three when she was killed on April 28, 2019, in Central Fresno. That night she and her boyfriend, Brian Maxey, were leaving a gathering at The Parks at Fig Garden apartments when they were confronted by a group of gang members who questioned their presence and demanded they leave. As they tried to drive away the group opened fire, firing 26 bullets. Kiara and Brian were struck, crashed their vehicle into a brick wall and then into a nearby canal, and died. Three other people were wounded in the attack.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Donovan Kelley, who was later found guilty of the shootings and sentenced to 200 years to life by Fresno County Superior Court. Kiara’s mother, Patricia Gibbs, described her daughter as a bright light who was working to provide for her children. The conviction brought some measure of legal closure, but the family continues to cope with the loss.