Crime
26-year-old Erykah Tate killed after shooting in Fairfield neighborhood
No arrests have been made as of this time.
UPDATE: The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 28-year-old Shazaria Williams in connection with the recent shooting incident.
Williams is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond and faces formal charges related to the case.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the charges or circumstances surrounding the arrest.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman late Monday afternoon in a Fairfield neighborhood.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 26-year-old Erykah Nameke Tate, a Fairfield resident.
Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a person shot at approximately 4:50 p.m. in the 400 block of Forest Drive, located in the Forest Hills community.
Upon arrival, emergency responders from Fairfield Fire and Rescue pronounced Tate deceased at the scene by 4:56 p.m.. It remains unclear whether the shooting occurred inside a residence or outside.
Authorities have not yet disclosed any details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Investigators remained on-site for several hours following the incident, combing the area for evidence.
No arrests have been made as of this time.
Tate’s death marks the second homicide investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office since Saturday, following the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old in the Center Point area over the weekend.
This incident contributes to the 185 homicides reported in Jefferson County this year, underscoring a troubling trend of violence in the area.
Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Tips can be provided anonymously.
The investigation remains active, and updates will be provided as they become available.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.