Kayla Chapman, 30, was shot and killed during a robbery at Holt’s Quik Chek market in Kelso, Washington, in the early morning hours of January 22, 2019. Despite severe injuries she managed to call 911. Surveillance showed a masked gunman who tried to fire at Chapman before making demands; the weapon failed to discharge at first. After forcing her to hand over money and cigarettes, the attacker fired again, striking her in the neck and chest. The suspect and at least two others fled in a white four-door sedan.

A woman recognized the car from news reports as her stolen vehicle, and a juvenile probation officer identified the suspect from images, leading to the arrest of 19-year-old D’Anthony Leslie Williams in Camas the day after the murder; methamphetamine was found on him and the stolen car was recovered in Vancouver. Two companions, Erkinson Kinisou Bossy and Nenemeny Winter Ekiek, were later linked to the incident; all three were charged. At trial in November 2020 a Cowlitz County jury found D’Anthony Williams guilty of premeditated murder, first-degree murder in the course of another crime, first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine; Bossy and Ekiek reportedly accepted plea deals and testified against him.

Kayla was remembered by the community as kind, funny, and caring. If anyone knew Kayla, the people involved that night, or has information that hasn’t been shared, please come forward.