A New Orleans community is mourning the death of Tomika Chapman, 47, who police say was killed by her husband who is now on suicide watch.
According to the authorities, 57-year-old Gregory Chapman – who was married to Chapman for 25 years – was unable to attend a bond hearing because of the suicide watch he was placed under. The court date has been rescheduled.
Friends describe Chapman as a humorous and compelling mother who gave birth to her daughter four years before she was brutally killed.
“I miss you. I miss you, friend,” the victim’s friend Debra Barbain-Johnson told WDSU. “I keep looking down there for your car. For you to come walking up the block. I do not sleep. I am not sleeping.”
She added that she and Chapman both lived on the same street for many years and recently became close friends. The night before the victim was killed, she said something appeared off.
“I asked, ‘Are you OK?’ And she said, ‘I am just tired.”
One day later, Barbain-Johnson says she heard a gunshot. As she peered through her window, she saw the suspect sauntering back and forth in front of their home. As she proceeded to walk outside, she says she heard the victim’s sister and daughter screaming because they found their loved one shot multiple times inside of a car.
“I just ran. I ran up the street. From there, it was just chaos. She was sitting in the car,” Barbain-Johnson said. “One foot out. The keys were in the car. She was just sitting in the car. I tried to see what was wrong. I did not even realize she had been shot.”
The suspect later turned himself in to authorities and is charged with second-degree murder.
Johnson also added that Chapman recently filed a restraining order against her husband.
“I wish I could have done something to prevent it. I wonder if I missed anything,” Barbain-Johnson said. If there was something she was trying to convey to me without saying it. I just do not know and wish I would have paid more attention.”
