Vigil for woman one year after her shooting in East Nashville, Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Family and friends gathered Sunday evening to remember a woman who died of domestic violence in East Nashville one year ago.

According to Nashville Police, 27-year-old Lewis Thomas II and his girlfriend, 27-year-old La’Toria Mitchell, got into an argument at a local nightclub on July 14, 2023, during which he shoved her. Thomas was reportedly escorted out of the club.

Later that night, police say Thomas drove to Mitchell’s apartment in the 500 block of South 6th Street. He went inside briefly; another struggle ensued; she ran outside; and he reportedly shot her multiple times, even as she lay on the sidewalk, before fleeing the scene.

The next day, authorities announced that they had charged Thomas with manslaughter and evidence tampering after he not only implicated himself in the shooting but also admitted to discarding a gun in a wooded area.

On the anniversary of Mitchell’s death, members of the Tennessee Trojans women’s football team – of which she was a member – gathered at Hadley Park to share memories and release balloons in Mitchell’s honor.

“We leave them knowing that their trust was not for sale or purchase and that it was earned, whether in life or on the field,” said Sasha Stevenson, Mitchell’s cousin.

Mitchell leaves behind a son, now 6 years old.

There is help available for anyone in crisis. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.