Amira Harper, 28, will be remembered for being a dedicated mother, according to her family.
Harper was married for just five months to the man accused of shooting and killing her on Saturday night in front of her children.
It started off as a calm night on the 2600 block of Latona Street in South Philadelphia on July 19 with people sitting on their stoops, but it quickly turned violent with a series of gun shots and screams around 8:40 p.m.
“I just heard a lot of noise like somebody arguing and then screaming,” Latifah Holloway described.
Holloway lives just a couple of doors down and to her disbelief, it was her friend, Harper, who needed help.
After the shooting, a man can be seen in surveillance video leaving the house.
That man was arrested and has been identified as 28-year-old Zakiyy Bonds.
Family said that Harper and Bonds married in May of 2025 and lived in the Latona Street home with their children.
Holloway told NBC10 that Harper’s children witnessed the shooting.
“It’s just sad. It’s heart breaking. My heart is broken because she was really a nice person. She was a friend to my daughter,” Holloway explained.
Harper’s family is still processing the loss and said that she was a great mother to three kids.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
According to the Philadelphia Police Department, there have been 27 domestic violence homicides reported so far this year which is 10 more than last year.
Harper’s family is working on funeral arrangements.
Bonds has been charged with murder. An investigation into this incident is ongoing.