‘Tragic night.’ 2 children killed in a double homicide in Lexington, mother charged
Two children are dead as a result of a “stabbing/cutting” incident on Rogers Road in Lexington Monday night, and their mother has been charged with murder, according to police and the fire department.
Nikki James, 43, was charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of her children, who were 5 and 13 years old, Lexington police said Tuesday afternoon.
Police said the children were transported to a local hospital after they were found injured at the scene, but they later died from their injuries.
The Fayette County Coroner’s office identified the victims as 13-year-old Deon Williams and 5-year-old Skyler Williams.
Deon was a student at Winburn Middle School, according to a letter sent to families from the school principal.
“He loved school, his teachers and his friends,” Principal Mike Hale wrote in the letter. “He will be deeply missed by all those that knew him.”
Skyler was a student at Mary Todd Elementary, according to Fayette County Public Schools.
“We are heartbroken over the tragic deaths of Skyler and Deon Williams,” said Fayette County Superintendent Demetrius Liggins. “Skyler and Deon brought joy and light to their teachers and classmates and we ask our community to uplift all those touched by this unimaginable loss.”
Officials said that grief counselors would be made available at both schools.
Police said James is in custody, and other charges are pending. Further details about the incident were sparse.
Mjr. Jessica Bowman with the Lexington Fire Department had previously told the Herald-Leader that firefighters were dispatched to the area for a report of cutting/stabbing. Two of the people sent to the hospital had life-threatening injuries while the other had serious injuries, Bowman said.
The fire department’s peer support coordinator also responded to the scene to provide support for the responding firefighters, Bowman said.
Police said an investigation is ongoing and all parties had been identified. There were no outstanding suspects, police said.
Devine Carama, the director of One Lexington, tweeted just after 11 p.m. that a couple of schools in Lexington will need support after the incident. One Lexington is a program which focuses on using community resources to enhance safety and quality of life in neighborhoods experiencing violent crime, according to the city.
“Tragic night for the city man ...” Carama wrote in one tweet. “Don’t even know what to say. So so sad…… Praying for our people tonight. Praying for mental, emotional and physical healing.”
Investigators asked anyone with information about this case to call Lexington police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 tips app available at www.p3tips.com.
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 6:58 AM.
