Alexia Deane Quinn, a 33-year-old Black female from Fort Wayne, Indiana, was a mother who worked with children with special needs. On the night of December 23, 2021, she was at a holiday party at a home on Lima Road when a violent confrontation ended her life.
The incident began earlier that evening at another residence, where Henry Myers Jr. got into an argument with his girlfriend. According to court documents, Myers’ frightened daughter texted her brother, who was at the Lima Road party, asking him to come get her. The brother brought his sister back to the party and told Alexia and her husband what had happened. Soon after, Myers drove to the Lima Road house to find his children. He sent them a text message that read, “you can run, but you can’t hide.”
When Myers arrived, Alexia, her husband, and Myers’ son were outside. They ran into the house, and Myers followed them inside.
Witnesses told police that Myers, demanding to see his children, pulled out a gun and pointed it at Alexia’s head. Alexia, who was also armed, called for both of them to put their weapons down. Fearing for his wife’s life, Alexia’s husband drew his own pistol and shot Myers. As Myers fled the house, he fired back.
Fort Wayne Police officers responded to calls about an armed disturbance and found three people with gunshot wounds. Alexia was discovered in a bedroom, still conscious. Before being taken to the hospital, she asked an officer, “are my kids okay?” When asked who shot her, she said, “Henry Myers.” Alexia was transported to a local hospital, where she died from multiple gunshot wounds. The Allen County Coroner’s Office ruled her death a homicide. Her husband and Myers were also seriously injured in the shootout but recovered.
Following an investigation, Henry Myers Jr. was arrested and charged with murder, battery with a deadly weapon, and other offenses. His initial trial on the murder and battery charges, held in January 2023, resulted in a hung jury.
In July 2023, Myers entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of reckless homicide and battery. In exchange for his plea, the charges of murder and a firearm enhancement were dismissed. He was scheduled to be sentenced in August 2023.
