Redaja Williams: 23-Year-Old Louisville Mother Killed Walking Daughter To Bus Stop
Redaja Williams, 23, made it her business to get her 7-year-old daughter up and ready for school every day of the new school year. The morning of Wednesday, August 13, 2025 began like any other. Williams, known to family and friends as “Juicy,” was walking her daughter to the bus stop – but this day would be like no other.
In front of her daughter and other children, Williams was gunned down around 8 a.m. near the local YMCA, near Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary, Central High School, and several bus stops.
Williams was rushed to University of Louisville Health Hospital, where she died. The child was unharmed physically, but the victim’s sister says the murder has left them “traumatized.”
“I had to watch my sister lay on that ground and take her last breath," Lavett Knuckles told local media. "There was nothing I could do about it.”
The victim’s mom, Schreida Simmons, said her daughter lit up every room she entered.
"She was the life of the party," Simmons was quoted as saying.
Police Chief Paul Humphrey said a 15-year-old suspect was arrested near Shawnee High School and questioned but was later released after being identified as present at the scene but not the shooter. Authorities are now seeking a young Black male wearing a red hoodie and black sweatpants as the murder suspect.
Humphrey called it “unacceptable” that people, especially children, must fear for their safety while going to school, noting this was the second such incident in a week. Louisville Metro Police, Jefferson County Public Schools Police, JCPS counselors, and the Office of Violence Prevention are supporting affected students and families.
Humphrey emphasized the profound impact on the community, stating, “These are our kids in our neighborhoods. These are lives forever changed, whether they’re the victim or witnesses. This is a traumatic event that worsens neighborhoods, and it’s absolutely pathetic.”
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