Self-Defense or Murder? Ohio Woman Charged After Shooting Two Women During Argument

An Ohio woman has been arrested after she allegedly shot two women during a confrontation earlier this summer. 

The woman, Akira Fletcher, 23, has been charged with aggravated murder.

Akira Fletcher

Fletcher was taken into custody on August 31, 2024.

The day before her arrest, she posted videos on Facebook detailing her side of the story.

This video evidence shows what transpired on the night of the altercation in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood.

In her Facebook post, Fletcher recounts the events of July 12, 2024. 

She wrote, “There are two 911 calls where I asked for help. I was being punched, rocks were thrown at me, and Nyema was trying to get into my car.” 

“Nyema” is likely Nyema Norton, 29, one of the women seen in the videos harassing Fletcher.

Norton later died from her injuries about six weeks after being shot, while the other woman survived.

Nyema Norton

In the first video, Fletcher is shown inside her car, breathing heavily while two women move around outside. 

She narrates the situation, saying, “She just threw another rock at me… She’s slashing my tires… I have a gun in my purse.” 

As she films, one of the women appears to smash the back window of Fletcher’s car.

The video captures Fletcher, partially inside or next to the car, warning the women that they will be arrested. 

The women, initially standing a couple of cars away, continue to shout at Fletcher, who responds with threats. 

She warns them repeatedly, “You should be happy you don’t get clapped,” and “Come anywhere near me, I bet you’re gonna get clapped.” 

The video ends with Fletcher driving away from the scene as a commercial plays on her car radio.

Nyema Norton holding a rock

The second video begins mid-incident, showing Fletcher’s driver’s side window shattered. 

The two women, now close to the car, approach the broken window. 

Fletcher continues to taunt them, prompting one of the women to strike her again, after which Fletcher fires four shots in quick succession.

Both women were taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Norton later died on August 26. 

Here is the video of the confrontation below.

Initially, the Cincinnati Police Department considered the case self-defense. 

However, the situation has evolved. 

Fletcher now faces additional charges, including murder and felonious assault, as indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury. She remains in custody without bond.

In another case, two teenagers have been sentenced to 25 years in prison for their roles in a deadly high school love triangle. 

Click here for more details