Nataja Boleware was 19 when she was shot and killed on the east side of Detroit on the evening of September 20, 2022. She was sitting in the driver’s seat of a gray Chevrolet Equinox near the 4800 block of Lodewyck, between East Warren and Cornwall, when a Chrysler 300 with tinted windows pulled alongside and multiple shots were fired. Nataja was struck seven times; the Equinox later crashed as an attempt was made to drive away. A passenger with her was also wounded.

Her family says she had been helping a friend and was not involved in the underlying situation. Her mother, Earlene Griffin, described Nataja as loving and creative, enjoying makeup, dancing, rapping and singing; her father, Nathaniel Boleware, has pleaded for justice. The family and community have held vigils, canvassed the neighborhood, distributed flyers, and set up a GoFundMe and other rewards—Crime Stoppers offered up to $6,500—for information. As of late 2023 no arrests have been made and the Detroit Police Department is investigating.

If anyone knew Nataja, was in that neighborhood that evening, or has information that could help the investigation, please come forward.