Kena McMillan, a 41-year-old African American woman, was fatally shot in the chest with a shotgun on October 24, 2015, at her home on South Wilkes Street in Chadbourn, North Carolina. She was taken to Columbus Regional Medical Center, where she later died. The Columbus County Coroner, Lynwood Cartrette, confirmed those details and the cause of death.

The shooting happened during an altercation with 42-year-old African American man Wendell Hardie, identified as the father of McMillan’s children. At least two of the children were present during the incident but were not injured. Hardie was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; he was treated for cuts to his head at Columbus Regional Medical Center before being booked into the Columbus County Detention Center and was held without bail as legal proceedings began.

The community responded to McMillan’s death by supporting her children. If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew Kena or her family, please share tips with investigators.