Keri Michelle Billings, 32, was shot and killed just before 5 a.m. on October 9, 2023, on Stoney Ridge Road in Bluefield, West Virginia. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department determined she died of a single gunshot wound. Her two young daughters witnessed the shooting; they fled to call for help and one of them recorded an argument that preceded the fatal shot.

Keri was born April 12, 1991, grew up in McDowell County and completed the certified medical assistant program at Valley College. For about four and a half years she worked at Derm One Dermatology Care. Friends and family described her as intelligent, sociable and funny. She was the mother of two daughters, Seyona Renee Waldron and Hartley Saige Billings.

Authorities arrested 43-year-old Charles Lee Dawson of Bluefield the same day and charged him with first-degree murder. He was arraigned and held at Southern Regional Jail without bond pending further proceedings. If anyone knew Keri, her routines, or has information about what happened that morning, please share what is known.