Damiera James Tiesman, a 36-year-old African American man, was shot four times and killed on November 29, 2015, at the Carolinian Inn on Market Street in Wilmington, North Carolina. Boatwright had asked Tiesman to pay $40 for her room; he paid, then asked her to go shopping. She said Alfonza Jenkins Jr., 29, was in the room and he would have to give permission. Tiesman allegedly pushed past Boatwright and confronted Jenkins with a gun. A struggle followed, Jenkins wrestled the gun away and shot Tiesman multiple times.

Prosecutors and police concluded the shooting was justified as self-defense, citing witness statements, recorded phone calls, physical evidence, and an ATF finding that the firearm was stolen and linked to Tiesman. The DA also noted Tiesman’s prior criminal history in California, including felony firearm possession, robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily injury. No charges were filed against Jenkins.

Tiesman’s family, including his widow Jazmine Tiesman, disputed the official narrative, pointed to Jenkins’ own criminal history, and said the investigation and portrayal of Damiera’s past were biased. The case raised unresolved questions in the community about how the incident was handled.