A 19-year-old teenager who had a bright future ahead was slain last month, leaving a Detroit community mourning and in search for answers.
On September 20, Nataja Boleware was seated in a vehicle with a friend when a Chrysler 300 pulled up alongside them and opened fire. Boleware was shot seven times and pronounced dead on the scene.
“She was helping someone with another situation that she had nothing to do with, and unfortunately she was the victim of a homicide,” Nataja’s mother Earlene Griffin told TV station WDIV in Detroit.
During a vigil for Boleware, City Council President Mary Sheffield pleaded with the community to help the city bring justice to her family.
“We know someone saw this. We know that someone knows something,” said Sheffield. “There are cameras in homes over here. So we’re just calling on the community to speak up and bring justice to this family.”
Boleware was described to be a light to many. She loved to sing, rap, dance and enjoyed being in the presence of others.
“She liked just making the people smile. She would feed the hungry with me, clothe people with me,” her mother said. “That was what she did. That’s who she was.”
Her aunt echoed her mother’s sentiments, stating that her death was completely uncalled for.
“My niece did not deserve this, at all. Period.” said her aunt Fanisha Boleware.
Her brother, Michael Boleware, said his sister was a “sweetheart. Fun. The life of the party. Sweet. Selfless. Cared about everybody else.”
A GoFundMe account has been created to help find justice for Boleware.
On behalf of Nataja Boleware’s entire family,” the GoFundMe page reads, “we would like to extend our appreciation, calls, texts, prayers and support. There are no words to describe the pain we are feeling, what we can say is “But God!”
“Many of you have asked “Is there anything that we need?” ” What can I do for you?” our answer to these are as follow…. 1. Continue to pray for the family profusely and 2. Assist us in seeking Justice for “Taj”So please donate to our gofundme towards justice for our princess Taja. Thank you in advance for all your prayers and support.”
Anyone with information leading to the arrest in Boleware’s death is asked to contact Detroit police at 313-267-4600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
