Tyisha Shenee Miller, a 19-year-old African American woman from Rubidoux, California, died on December 28, 1998, in Riverside. According to accounts, she and a 15-year-old friend had a flat tire early that morning. After a passing stranger helped change the tire and then drove the friend home, Miller waited in her aunt’s car. When family returned they found Miller unconscious in the locked car with the engine running, foam at her mouth, and a .380 semi-automatic pistol in her lap. They called 9-1-1.

Four Riverside Police Department officers arrived within minutes. Told there was a gun, they approached with guns drawn and after several minutes forced entry believing Miller needed immediate medical attention. An officer’s attempt to remove the firearm was followed, police said, by Miller sitting up and grabbing the weapon; officers then fired 23 shots, striking her with at least 12 bullets, including four to the head. It was later reported Miller had not reached for the gun and may have been unconscious; police recanted the reaching claim. The four officers were placed on administrative leave, later fired, and did not face criminal prosecution; the U.S. Attorney authorized an FBI investigation and protests over police conduct and race followed.

Does anyone have information about Miller’s final hours or about community efforts that followed the shooting?