On August 18, 2025, my life and my sister-in-law Sheila Swinea’s life changed forever. That day, our beloved Roy was killed while trying to protect me from a violent attack by our older brother. Roy rushed to my side after I was beaten and, in the chaos, both of us were shot. Roy was struck four times and lost his life almost immediately. I was shot twice, suffering broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and have spent ten days in Trauma ICU. Our older brother was taken into custody and will be sentenced soon, but the pain and shock remain overwhelming for us both.

Roy was the heart of our family and community. He owned a printing company in Southfield, Michigan for 35 years, and was a devoted father, grandfather, and husband. His kindness and faith touched everyone who knew him. With Roy gone, Sheila is not only grieving her husband but also facing the closure of his business and the sudden loss of their main source of income. The financial burden of funeral expenses and mounting hospital bills is more than we can manage alone.

We are still in shock, trying to support each other through daily calls and shared tears. The emotional and financial strain is immense, and we are reaching out for help from our community. Any support will go directly toward covering Roy’s funeral costs and my ongoing medical bills, helping us find some stability as we begin to heal from this tragedy.