RICHMOND, Va. - The Hillside community came together Wednesday evening to remember a beloved mother, daughter and granddaughter who was taken too soon.
Shantisha Dortch, known as Tisha to friends, was the victim of a murder suicide early Sunday morning.
Neighbors said the the couple had gotten into a fight when the shooting happened.
Shantisha's grandmother, Ersell Dortch said she wants people to know that violence is never the answer. She also stressed the importance of always going to someone if you know of someone dealing with domestic violence.
"Killing, that's so final and it's unnecessary," said Dortch. "There are two lives gone, and two children without a mother and a father."
While it's a difficult time, family and friends made sure to focus on the good times with Shantisha, sharing memories of the 29-year-old mother and even dancing to her favorite song Wednesday night.
"She was a good mother, a good mother," said Shantisha's friend.
Hillside Court murder-suicide
On October 2, neighbors called police around 5 a.m. after they heard shots fired during what police said was a domestic situation in a Hillside Court apartment in the 1600 block of Glenfield Avenue.
When officers arrived, an armed male suspect, identified as 30-year-old Brian A. Harris, was holed up inside the residence and refused to come out.
As officers approached the apartment, one of the units heard a gunshot from inside the home, according to officers.
Police said they backed off, established a perimeter and called the Richmond SWAT Team to assist. Some neighbors in surrounding homes were evacuated as a precaution.
More officers arrived a short time later. Police said attempts to contact the people inside failed.
When units reported hearing a second gunshot, the SWAT team entered the home.
Officers discovered Harris and 29-year-old Shantisha L. Dortch dead from apparent gunshot wounds.