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Montgomery Woman Killed in Huntsville Remembered with Balloon Release
Dozens gathered to honor 19-year-old Nadiya Perkins, a Carver High graduate and Alabama A&M freshman
Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:20pm
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Dozens of people gathered outside Carver High School in Montgomery to honor the memory of 19-year-old Nadiya Perkins, a Montgomery resident who was killed in Huntsville earlier this month. Friends and family prayed together and released hundreds of balloons into the sky to pay tribute to Perkins, who was a freshman at Alabama A&M University and was majoring in criminal justice.
Why it matters
The tragic death of a young college student has deeply impacted the Montgomery community, where Perkins was remembered as a "happy and energetic ray of sunshine." Her murder has also raised concerns about public safety in the Huntsville area, where the alleged perpetrator, 20-year-old Ahmad Barney, has been arrested on a murder warrant.
The details
Perkins was found shot to death at an apartment complex in Huntsville on March 4. She had graduated from Carver High School the previous year and was in her freshman year at Alabama A&M University, where she was majoring in criminal justice with the goal of one day helping people.
- Perkins was found shot to death on March 4, 2026.
- The balloon release tribute took place on the evening of March 13, 2026.
The players
Nadiya Perkins
A 19-year-old Montgomery resident and freshman at Alabama A&M University who was majoring in criminal justice.
Ahmad Barney
A 20-year-old man who has been arrested on a murder warrant in connection with Perkins' fatal shooting.
What they’re saying
“She was a happy and energetic ray of sunshine and she was majoring in criminal justice so that she could help people one day.”
— Perkins' mother
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Barney's bail status at a hearing next week.
The takeaway
This tragic loss has deeply impacted the Montgomery community, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and ensure the safety of young people pursuing their educational and career goals.
