Teen Charged with Boyfriend's Murder After Threatening Videos Surface

Dalaysia Terrell-Brown, 17, faces murder charges for allegedly stabbing 18-year-old Tamar Shaw to death in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a serrated knife blade, capturing the harsh, gritty texture and dramatic lighting to conceptually illustrate the violence of this crime.A chilling close-up of the alleged murder weapon exposes the violent reality behind a tragic case of domestic abuse.Harrisburg Today

A 17-year-old girl named Dalaysia Terrell-Brown has been charged with murder and possession of an instrument of crime after allegedly stabbing her 18-year-old boyfriend, Tamar Shaw, to death in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Police say Terrell-Brown initially claimed it was an accident, but investigators found disturbing videos on her Instagram account showing her threatening Shaw with knives prior to the incident.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing issue of domestic violence among young people, as well as the role social media can play in providing evidence of abusive behavior. It also raises questions about how to better identify and intervene in potentially dangerous relationships before they turn deadly.

The details

According to police, officers responded to an apartment on Market Street on April 6 to find Shaw bleeding from a stab wound to the chest. He later died at the hospital. Terrell-Brown initially claimed it was an accident, saying Shaw had asked her for a knife to cut paper for a blunt. However, the coroner noted the wound would have required significant force. The breakthrough came when police received a tip about Terrell-Brown's Instagram account, which allegedly contained videos of her harassing Shaw with knives and making threats against him.

  • On April 6, police responded to the apartment and found Shaw with a fatal stab wound.
  • Terrell-Brown is currently being held without bail in Dauphin County as the legal process continues.

The players

Dalaysia Terrell-Brown

A 17-year-old girl charged with murder and possession of an instrument of crime for allegedly stabbing her 18-year-old boyfriend, Tamar Shaw, to death.

Tamar Shaw

An 18-year-old who was allegedly stabbed to death by his 17-year-old girlfriend, Dalaysia Terrell-Brown.

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What’s next

Terrell-Brown is currently being held without bail as the legal process continues. The judge will determine whether she will be tried as an adult or a juvenile.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need to address domestic violence, especially among young people, and the role social media can play in providing evidence of abusive behavior that may otherwise go undetected.