Takisha Best, a 35-year-old mother of three, was tragically killed in a domestic violence incident on July 29, 2023, in Fort Myers, Florida. The incident occurred at her home on Williams Street, where she was shot twice by her ex-boyfriend while her children were sleeping inside.
According to her mother, Tracey Best, Takisha had recently broken up with her ex-boyfriend about two months prior to the incident.
Despite the breakup, Takisha was moving forward with her life, starting a new job and a new relationship. However, her ex-boyfriend apparently did not accept the end of their relationship. On the morning of the incident, he arrived at Takisha's home, asked for a light, and then pulled out a gun and started shooting her.
Tracey Best described the horrific moment she found her daughter's body on the front porch, expressing her shock and grief. She had known the ex-boyfriend for over 15 years and never thought he was capable of such violence, as he had been involved in the lives of Takisha's children since they were babies and had always shown a loving and caring attitude towards them.
The Fort Myers Police Department confirmed that the shooter was identified as Takisha's ex-boyfriend. During the investigation, police units, including K-9 and the Lee County Sheriff's Office Aviation unit, located the suspect behind another house, where he was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot injury. This incident is being treated as a murder-suicide.
The family and community are grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy. Tracey Best has emphasized the importance of learning from her daughter's story, urging people to be cautious when dealing with former partners and to seek help if necessary. She has also set up a GoFundMe to help with arrangements to honor Takisha's life and support her children.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of domestic violence, with local organizations such as St. Matthew's House expressing their awareness of the need for services to support women and children affected by such violence. The community is coming together to support the family during this difficult time, remembering Takisha as a loving mother and individual who had a strong faith and a bright future ahead of her.
