CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Nueces County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the woman found dead of an apparent gunshot wound early Friday morning as Kiara Allani Smith.
The 25-year-old was found in her home in the 1100 block of Green Earth Drive by roommates who told Corpus Christi Police Department officers they heard shots in their home and found her body.
Devaughan Williams, 22, also turned himself in to law enforcement Friday afternoon in connection with the shooting. CCPD told 3NEWS he walked into the Nueces County Sheriff's Office around 4 p.m. Friday.
Corpus Christi Police Department officers, meanwhile, are continuing to investigate the death.
Resident Bridget Dorsey told 3NEWS said Smith was her niece, a young mother who she was allowing to stay at the house with Williams.
"I woke up to gun fire, and you know how people do, we don't take it in generosity," she said. "And when I said, 'hey' after everything happened, it was downhill from there."
Dorsey called the shooting a case of domestic violence.
"They was living here, and I always open up my home to those who don't have nowhere to stay," she said.
The roommates were taken to the main police station for interviewing and authorities are following up on leads, saying they know this is not a random act of violence.
"There was history of domestic violence with this particular couple," Senior Officer Antonio Contreras said. "Cases were filed, charges were filed, reports were made. So, we want to say that if you know of someone or know of a family member or you yourself are a victim of family violence, you know, there is help out there."
Police were out on the scene all morning continuing the investigation.
Police investigating fatal shooting of 25-year-old woman on Green Earth Drive
Court records outline Williams' troubling past which includes a charge of assault of pregnant woman just last year.
Police said there are counseling services available for anyone going through family violence and that they do have advocates available to help.
If you are in an unsafe situation, another local resource to turn to is The Purple Door.
Their 24/7 crisis hotline is (361) 881-8888.
If you have any information you are urged to call the Police Department at (361) 886-2840. You can also remain anonymous and call Crimestoppers at (361) 888-TIPS or submit the information online at Tip Form (p3tips.com)
Information provided to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.
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