Alexis Woods, 27, was killed on June 28, 2021, after a violent incident inside a car that ended near the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware. Delaware State Police responded about 4:10 p.m. to a crash near the Target store; a black Ford Fusion had struck a metal guardrail on Christiana Mall Road and Woods was found unresponsive in the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound. She was taken to Christiana Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators determined Woods had not been alone. Police said 24-year-old Shaidiah McNeair, of Philadelphia, exited the vehicle before troopers arrived and was found nearby and taken into custody. Troopers recovered a handgun in a white plastic bag along an embankment. Court documents reported McNeair and Woods, described as being romantically involved, began arguing during the drive; McNeair allegedly told police she pulled out a gun to scare Woods and the weapon fired. McNeair was charged with felony manslaughter and a firearm-related offense and held on bail. Family members publicly questioned the account of an accidental shooting and expressed suspicion it may have been planned. Police described the matter as an active homicide investigation and asked anyone with information to contact the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit.

If anyone has information about what happened that afternoon near Christiana Mall, please come forward.