- Aaniyah Nowden, 24, was convicted of capital murder in the 2023 shooting death of Justina Wallace, 36, in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Nowden was eight months pregnant herself when she shot Wallace, who was also pregnant and holding her toddler at the time.
- The two women shared a connection — the father of Wallace’s child is also the father of Nowden’s child.
- Nowden has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after prosecutors sought the death penalty.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — A 24-year-old woman who was eight months pregnant when she shot and killed another pregnant mother in front of her children has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Aaniyah Nowden was found guilty of capital murder in the death of 36-year-old Justina Wallace. The Birmingham Police Department announced the arrest in the summer of 2023, and the case has now reached its conclusion in court.
Prosecutors had sought the death penalty.
What Happened on July 7, 2023
Wallace was at a home on the 3200 block of 17th Avenue North in Birmingham when Nowden approached her with a gun.
At the time, Wallace was several months pregnant. She was holding her toddler daughter in her arms. Two of her sons were standing just feet away.
Nowden opened fire.
Wallace was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died the following day.
The Connection Between the Two Women
At the center of this case is a painful detail that prosecutors say provided the motive.
The father of Wallace’s toddler is also the father of Nowden’s child.
Nowden gave birth to that child after the shooting — while she was already in custody, according to local reports.
What Both Sides Argued in Court
Nowden claimed self-defense. Her attorneys described Wallace as “aggressive” and “belligerent” on the day of the shooting.
Prosecutors pushed back hard.
“This defendant shot and killed a pregnant woman who was carrying nothing but her baby Sky in her arms,” Deputy District Attorney Jason Wilson said. “Justina had no weapon, no gun, she wasn’t attacking anybody.”
The jury sided with the prosecution.
How the Trial Unfolded
Nowden’s first trial ended in a mistrial earlier this month. There were not enough jurors after both sides dismissed several during selection.
A second trial moved forward and concluded with a guilty verdict on the capital murder charge.
The judge sentenced Nowden to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Community Left With Questions
Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city, home to roughly 200,000 people. Cases like this one — involving two young mothers, young children present, and a shared connection through one man — have left many in the community shaken.
Wallace’s children, who witnessed the shooting, lost their mother that day. One of them was still in her arms when the gun was fired.
Nowden will spend the rest of her life behind bars. Her child, born while she was in custody, will grow up without her.
What are your thoughts on this verdict? Share your reaction in the comments — this is a case many in the community are still processing.
