Outrage is mounting in Wichita after 19-year-old Ye’Kira Hollins was sentenced to just under three years in prison for throwing acid on then-17-year-old Passionate Turner during a fight in May 2024.
The violent assault left Turner hospitalized with second-degree burns to her face and neck, injuries that could take a lifetime to fully heal—physically and emotionally.
The incident occurred on May 26, 2024, in West Wichita. According to KAKE News, a dispute escalated between Turner and Hollins, along with two other females, one of whom was a minor. During the confrontation, acid was thrown in Passionate’s face, causing immediate burns and requiring emergency medical care.
Now 18, Turner continues to recover from the trauma of the assault, which has left her with visible scars and emotional wounds. Despite the serious injuries inflicted, a Sedgwick County jury convicted Hollins of aggravated battery, and the court sentenced her to 34 months in prison—a punishment that some community members believe does not match the severity of the crime.
“Three years is not enough!” one supporter wrote on social media, echoing a sentiment shared widely across the Wichita community.
Two other suspects are still facing legal proceedings. Tayronnia West, who was also 18 at the time of the attack, is scheduled to go to trial on Sept. 19.
The third suspect was 16 at the time and has not been publicly identified due to her age, but she also faces charges of aggravated battery.
While Turner has not spoken publicly since the sentencing, supporters continue to call for greater justice and harsher penalties for acid attacks, which can leave permanent damage and carry life-altering consequences for victims.
As the legal process plays out, Turner’s supporters hope that the attention brought to her case will prompt stronger protections for victims of violent assaults and raise awareness about the devastating impact of chemical attacks—especially among teens.
