In a tragic turn of events, 34-year-old Mariah Samuels, a mother of two, was shot dead outside her Minneapolis home by her ex-boyfriend, David Eugene Wright, just minutes after she posted on social media about being stalked. Samuels’s family has expressed their heartbreak, noting that she had taken all the necessary precautions to protect herself, including filing a police report and obtaining a protective order against Wright.
On Sunday, September 14, 2023, Samuels shared a distressing message on Facebook at 7:45 a.m., stating, “I was trying to stay silent but [he’s] stalking me at 4 in the bleeping morning, and the police ain’t doing s or did a bleeping thing besides serve him a protective order and clearly it’s not doing bleep.” Just eight minutes after her post, she was shot multiple times near her vehicle.
Samuels had documented a troubling history with Wright, including accusations of physical abuse. Court documents reveal that she had previously filed for an order of protection citing serious threats from Wright, including claims he would blow up her house. In one incident detailed in the filings, she reported that he had pistol-whipped her and threatened her life while holding a gun.
The police investigation quickly focused on Wright, who allegedly confronted Samuels outside her home shortly after her social media plea. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and screaming, with one bystander observing Samuels lying on the ground and Wright attempting to remove items from her vehicle before fleeing on a bicycle. The police later identified Wright through surveillance footage and arrested him within 24 hours of the shooting. He is now facing charges of second-degree murder and illegal firearm possession.
Former law enforcement officer Chad Ays discussed the challenges police face when responding to domestic violence calls, emphasizing that these situations are often volatile and dangerous. He noted that while protective orders can provide some level of safety, they are ultimately just pieces of paper, and law enforcement cannot monitor individuals 24/7. Tragically, Samuels’s case exemplifies the dire consequences that can result when protective measures fail to prevent violence.
Samuels’s family has since started a GoFundMe campaign to support her two young sons, aiming to provide them with stability and care in light of their mother’s tragic death. They plan to hold a memorial walk in her honor, ending at a local police precinct to raise awareness about domestic violence.
The case has sparked discussions on the effectiveness of protective orders and the need for systemic changes to provide better protection for victims of domestic violence. Ays pointed out that many victims hesitate to cooperate with law enforcement due to complex emotional ties with their abusers, often leading to tragic outcomes.
As communities rally around Samuels’s family, there is a renewed call for vigilance and action against domestic violence, urging individuals to recognize the signs of abusive relationships and seek help before it’s too late.
