Sakyra Young, 21, of Waco, Texas, was shot multiple times, including in the head, and killed on August 14, 2020, in the 2900 block of McFerrin Avenue. She had graduated from Waco High School in 2017 where she was an athletic trainer, cheerleader, and volleyball player, and was studying Athletic Studies at McLennan Community College. Her family describes her as having been in a long-term, controlling relationship with Michael Howard Jr., 20, and her mother, Latoya Wells, had sought help from police, counselors, and domestic violence survivors as Sakyra struggled to leave the relationship.

Howard was identified as the suspect, arrested after being found hiding under a blanket in a vehicle stopped at Gholson Road and E. Lakeshore Drive, and charged with Sakyra’s murder; he was being held in the McLennan County Jail on $1 million bond. Sakyra’s family has organized memorial events and a Forever Young Scholarship in her name while calling attention to domestic violence.

If anyone knew Sakyra or has information about the case, please share what you know.