Ashley Danielle Sharpe, a 29-year-old Black woman, was killed on July 11, 2014, after getting into a car with Barbra Ann Polke following a work shift at the Vidalia Walmart. Their romantic relationship had ended amid violence and fear; court findings say Polke punched Sharpe on June 29, sending her to the emergency room and prompting a police report. Sharpe sought distance and requested a transfer at work, which was approved the day before she died.

Court records describe planning by Polke and a friend, Catherine, who together bought a .380 Jimenez handgun the day before the killing and sought ammunition that same day. Surveillance showed Sharpe entering Polke’s car after clocking out for lunch at 1:56 p.m. Fifteen to 45 minutes later, Polke called 911 and said Sharpe had been shot.

Polke was indicted February 24, 2015, on charges including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and firearm offenses. At trial the State presented the prior assault, the gun purchase, surveillance, forensics, and inconsistent statements; a jury convicted Polke and she was sentenced June 14, 2016, to life without parole for malice murder with additional firearm sentences. Does anyone have information about Sharpe’s last days, who knew about her transfer plans, or witnessed her that afternoon?