A D.C. family is in shock after a mother of four was shot and killed while nursing one of her twin babies, in what Prince George’s County police are investigating as a murder-suicide tied to domestic violence.
The suspected shooter, the father of the twins, subsequently took his own life.
“I would never think this would happen to my sister. She was not that kind of person. She gave me all the advice. She’s the reason why I wanted to become a mom,” said London Nails, the victim’s sister.
The victim, 32-year-old Taquia “Kiki” Nails, was a devoted mother to her four young children, her family shared. Her father expressed his disbelief over the tragedy, telling FOX 5, “We’re falling apart. No one can believe this. It’s Kiki.”
According to police, Nails was nursing one of her 2-month-old twins at her home on 62nd Avenue in Fairmount Heights when her estranged boyfriend, 26-year-old Quindell Mercer, shot her around 11 p.m. Tuesday night.
“They got into it, and he asked her to say another word. She said ‘another word,’ and he shot her twice in the head. When I got there, the baby was full of blood,” said Lillie Nails, Taquia’s mother.
Nails’ 16-year-old niece was in the home at the time and described the terrifying moments leading up to the murder.
“She told him to get out of her house multiple times. He came out of the bathroom and shot her three times while she was holding the baby. I tried to pepper spray him, but he pointed a gun at me. It jammed, and I got out of the house. As I closed the door, he ran out and started shooting at me,” her niece recalled.
Taquia’s family shared that she wanted Mercer to be an active father to the twins but did not wish to continue their romantic relationship.
“He was angry when she said she didn’t want to be in a relationship. I want people to know the truth about her,” said Qiana Barnes, Taquia’s best friend.
As they mourn her loss, Taquia’s family is committed to supporting her four children during this difficult time.
