Justice and Legacy for Zakiyah Hana Ali

On September 14, 2025, my daughter, Zakiyah Hana Ali, was shot in the head after a heated argument at a local Columbia hotel. She was left alone, gravely wounded. Zakiyah was rushed to Richland County Prisma Hospital, where doctors did all they could. She fought for two long days, but on September 16 at 3:55 PM, she took her last breath. She was 30 years old and the mother of two sons, aged 7 and 5, respectively. 

The man charged with this crime, Jerry Williams, is being held without bond. His court date is set for November 21, 2025. This was not just a crime against one woman—it was a cowardly act of domestic violence that could happen to anyone’s daughter, sister, or friend. Too often, perpetrators hide in plain sight, their violent histories invisible until it is too late.

To honor Zakiyah and protect others, I have launched #Kiyah’sLaw, the first proposed Domestic Violence Offender Registry Act (DVORA) in South Carolina. This registry would function similarly to the Sexual Offender Registry, tracking and tracing offenders convicted of prior crimes against family and protected persons. Those convicted of violent domestic crimes would be publicly listed as "Violent Domesticators." It would be a free, searchable database—so that anyone starting a new relationship could check, potentially saving their own life.

The establishment of such a registry is imperative in raising awareness and preventing domestic violence throughout South Carolina. Statistics show that domestic violence affects millions annually, leaving scars not just on victims but across entire communities. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetimes. Creating a registry would be a vital step towards transparency, accountability, and a stronger, safer community.

Zakiyah’s cruel and untimely death should not be in vain. She deserves justice, and her sons deserve a safe and secure world in which to grow up. By supporting #Kiyah’sLaw, we not only honor her memory but also protect countless others from suffering similar tragedies. 

I urge the state legislators and Governor of South Carolina to prioritize the passing of this vital legislation. Let Zakiyah be the last name added to a growing list of domestic violence victims in our great state. Please join me in advocating for change. Sign this petition and be a part of a movement to transform justice for survivors and honor those we have lost.