Leticia Vela, 25, was fatally shot in the face at her Wyoming, Michigan, home on New Year’s Day 2018 after returning from a New Year’s Eve party with her boyfriend, Ladale Tracy Williams-Nelson. Prosecutors said the shooting happened during an argument; Williams-Nelson fled on foot and later told police the gun had discharged accidentally. He was arrested about a mile from the residence and charged with open murder, felony firearm possession, and being a repeat offender.

A judge found enough evidence to send the case to trial. The prosecution argued the shooting was intentional; the defense said it was accidental. A jury convicted Williams-Nelson of second-degree murder. In June 2019 he received 30 to 60 years for the murder plus a mandatory two-year term for the felony firearm charge. Vela was a mother of five; one child was shared with Williams-Nelson. The community held fundraisers to support her children after her death.

If anyone knew Leticia or has information about the events that night, please share what you know.