The family of a 27-year-old woman, whose death was recorded in a video that has circulated widely on social media for several months, grows restless as Baltimore County Police have not been able to locate the man they say is her killer.

“It’s not alleged — he’s on film killing her,” said Nakia Scott, the father of Shakeia Allen, who was fatally shot outside her apartment on April 21. Months later, Baltimore County Police named her ex-boyfriend, Amir Johnson, 24, as a suspect in Allen’s killing.

“To call it frustration at the fact that they [the police] haven’t caught him is an understatement. This is someone who used to call me ’Pops,’ share his problems and what he was going through, and he knew how I felt about my kids,” Nakia Scott said, referring to his five daughters, with Allen being the second oldest. “This is the greatest betrayal a person could ever experience.”

Baltimore County Police continue to investigate Allen’s death, which is one of the three domestic-related homicides in the county since November 2023. Domestic-related homicides accounted for 13.6% of total homicides in the county this year, down from 26.1% the previous year. As Johnson remains at large, Allen’s family is frustrated the alleged killer has not been captured despite the viral video of the shooting.

The family hopes people learn of Allen’s courage in leaving what they describe as an abusive relationship , as calls for #JusticeforShakeia continue to grow online.

“My sister had the courage to leave, move out of their shared apartment and save up for her and her and daughter’s new home. She chose to save herself, and to kind of know that her story was cut short at a time where she felt like she was just beginning is really devastating,” Shanay Scott, one of Allen’s sisters, said.

Baltimore County Police did not respond last month to a request for additional information regarding the investigation.

Allen’s final moments alive

Baltimore County Police from the Parkville precinct responded on April 21 around 3 p.m. to the ReNew Apartment Complex in the unit block of Whitelaw Place in Nottingham, where they found Allen with multiple gunshot wounds, according to a news release. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Authorities previously said they believed Allen had been targeted, but did not provide additional information in April.

Days after Allen’s death, a grainy video appeared online purporting to show the moments leading up to the shooting in a residential parking lot.

“I have a restraining order on you,” Allen can be heard saying in the video.

“Call the police,” a man, who is believed to be Johnson, replies before chasing Allen around the parking lot. A third person filming the incident calls out a warning to leave her alone before four gunshots can be heard and Allen falls to the pavement.

Before the shooting , the couple had previously called police and filed for protective orders.

In August 2023, police arrested Johnson after he was involved in a dispute with Allen, who was described as his “significant other,” according to court records. Johnson then filed a protection order against Allen.

After the two filed civil domestic violence complaints against one another, a Baltimore County judge granted protective orders but dismissed the petition, citing both parties’ failure to show.

Johnson was later charged with misdemeanor assault in February of this year after he and Allen had another dispute that turned physical. Johnson had a registered handgun in his possession when police responded. Despite the gun not being used during the fight, Johnson consented for it to be removed from the residence.

Court records show Johnson’s trial in this case was scheduled for April 29, eight days after Allen’s murder, but he never showed in court.

‘A lack of bystander intervention’

On the outside looking in, Nakia Scott said Allen and Johnson’s relationship appeared to be “good” from what he thought he knew. But as he started speaking to him more and more, Scott said he noticed that Johnson was “kind of controlling.”

Shanay Scott’s interactions were similar to her father’s, she said. “From what I could see with my own two eyes, I would have never guessed the extent of how toxic he was, because he just came off like your average guy. There was no immediate, like, huge red flags flashing in your face.”

Shanay Scott said she believes Johnson found Allen’s new address through court documents she had filed in an effort to protect herself.

The video of Allen being shot continues to circulate on social media, with one post on X in November garnering more than 14 million views.

Amanda Rodriguez, the CEO of domestic violence service provider TurnAround in Baltimore County, said sharing abuse content on social media sometimes can be helpful — almost therapeutic — for those affected. Other times, she said, the content can also be “extremely unsafe and can be extremely damaging.”

People may be trying to help locate Allen’s alleged killer, she said, but these videos continuing to spread could also have a negative impact on a family that’s trying to heal.

“We have seen an increase in what we call a lack of bystander intervention because what happens is we’re so quick to pick up our phones and start recording, but less quick to call 911, or to engage in a safe way to stop abuse,” Rodriguez said, adding that documenting abuse begs the question of the purpose.

And in Allen’s case, Rodriguez feels conflicted.

“If somebody had recorded it and sent it to law enforcement and it was addressed from a place of justice, this would be a different conversation,” she said.

For weeks after Allen’s death, Shanay Scott said she and the rest of her family were forced to stay off all social media platforms as a result of the video. Still, she doesn’t want others to be deterred from speaking out when needed.

“My sister chose to leave, and it didn’t end well for her, but I would hope that it never discourages any woman or man from choosing themselves, or whatever give them motivation from leaving a bad situation,” Shanay Scott said. “I think that people should be careful when filing anything with the court and ensure that their address is not on any of the documents being served to the person that you know you’re filing against.”

Detectives have asked anyone with information pertinent to the case to contact 410-307-2020. Metro Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information. Residents may also provide details about this crime through the Baltimore County Police Department’s iWATCH program.

Baltimore Banner reporter Lillian Reed contributed to this article.