Columbia’s Stephens College will be hosting a gathering Sunday evening to mourn the loss of nursing student Aiyanna Williams, who was killed in this weekend’s horrific triple shooting downtown.
CPD says one adult male and two adult females were shot early Saturday morning in the 900 block of East Broadway. Stephens College says nursing student Aiyanna Williams, a Columbia Battle high school graduate, and two others were struck by gunfire.
CPD confirms the three victims were not involved in the original altercation. Stephens College says Williams was transported to a local hospital, where she has been declared legally brain dead. Stephens College says while Aiyanna’s body is being maintained on artificial support, it’s being done solely to allow time for organ donation in accordance with her wishes.
Williams earned the Muriel Battle scholarship and a scholarship from the Day Dreams Foundation, which supported her passion for ballet.
Today’s gathering at Stephens is from 5:30 to 6:30 at the college’s Firestone Baars chapel and is open to friends, family and community members. Stephens College president Dr. Shannon Lundeen says their hearts are broken, describing Aiyanna Williams as “shining Stephens woman whose kindness, drive and joy inspired everyone who knew her.”