Stolen Lives

Her Story

Mikina Denae Riley was only 18 years old when her life was tragically taken on August 27, 2021, in Hamilton, Ohio.

Shortly before 1:00 a.m., multiple shots were fired outside a home on South Second Street near Second Baptist Church. Mikina and two other people were sitting on a porch when gunfire erupted. Mikina was struck and died from her injuries, while the two others survived their gunshot wounds.

Mikina was a student at Miami School in the Hamilton City School District. Her sudden loss deeply impacted classmates, teachers, and the community, with counselors made available to students who were grieving the loss of a young life taken far too soon.

Investigators described the shooting as a targeted act rather than a random attack. Police have said multiple shooters may have been involved, and although investigators have followed numerous leads, the case remains open.

Mikina was only beginning her life. She was someone’s daughter, friend, and loved one — a young woman whose future should have been filled with opportunities and milestones that were never given the chance to unfold.