Support is growing for a the campaign launched in memory of Zakiyah Hana Ali; 30-year-old mother of two who was fatally shot by her partner on September 16, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.
Zakiya Ali was first wounded in a shooting on September 14 and fought for her life in hospital for two days before succumbing to her injuries.
Police have charged Jerry Williams in connection with the killing. He is being held without bond ahead of a scheduled court date on November 21, 2025.
The online fundraiser, titled “Her Life Will Begin – The Domestic Violent Offender Registry”, was created by Ali’s mother, Dr. Ameena J. Ali, to honor her daughter’s life and push for legal reforms.
The campaign has already has gained momentum from and continues to garner attention through social media shares and online support.
Organizers say proceeds will go toward legal expenses, publicity efforts, and lobbying for the proposed Domestic Violence Offender Registry Act (DVORA), also known as #Kiyah’sLaw. The measure would create a free, public database of individuals convicted of violent domestic crimes in South Carolina.
“This is about making sure Zakiyah’s name leads to change,” the campaign page states. “Every donation and every share keeps her story alive.”
Donors have echoed that sentiment with personal messages. One contributor wrote:
“Praying for justice and strength for the family — may Zakiyah’s legacy live on.” Another added, “Domestic violence takes too many lives. This registry could be the change we need.”
Domestic violence advocates say the proposal highlights ongoing concerns about victim safety in the state, which records some of the nation’s highest rates of women killed by men in domestic settings. Legal experts, however, caution that offender registries raise complex questions about due process, rehabilitation, and long-term effectiveness.
For Zakiyah’s family, the campaign is more than a fundraiser. It is an effort to ensure that her death is not forgotten and that her story becomes a turning point in the fight against domestic violence.
Timeline: The Zakiyah Ali Case
- September 14, 2025 — Zakiyah Hana Ali is shot in Columbia, South Carolina, and hospitalized with critical injuries.
- September 16, 2025 — Ali succumbs to her wounds, leaving behind two young children.
- September 17, 2025 — Police arrest Jerry Williams, who is charged in connection with her killing.
- September 20, 2025 — A GoFundMe campaign is launched by Ali’s mother, Dr. Ameena J. Ali, calling for the creation of a Domestic Violence Offender Registry.
- October 2025 — Fundraiser surpasses $2,100 with support from 28 donors and widespread shares online.
- November 21, 2025 — Court date set for Jerry Williams in Columbia, South Carolina.
End domestic violence in South Carolina. Make Kiyah’s law a reality. Support the campaign.
James Nkyokomabasi
Abuja, Nigeria.
