Indiana Officer Fires On And Kills Black Woman Escaping Abuser; Family Pursues Lawsuit After Cop Goes Free

Dachena Warren-Hill, a 20-year-old Black woman, was tragically shot and killed in November 2023 by Officer Mark Guzman of the Fort Wayne police while attempting to escape her abuser. Guzman claimed he feared for his life, asserting that she was driving directly towards him. However, body camera footage later revealed that she was in fact driving away when he opened fire. Last week, Warren-Hill's mother, Danisha Warren, initiated a federal lawsuit against Guzman, the former police chief, and her daughter's abuser, Cedric Brown. Warren criticized the Fort Wayne Police Department, describing it as "out of control" and alleging a failure to protect the community. Legal documents indicate Warren-Hill's death resulted from Guzman’s excessive force, as he fired multiple rounds without utilizing non-lethal options. Three months post-incident, the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney's Office absolved Guzman of any wrongdoing, asserting his actions were justified, despite contradictory evidence from the released footage. (Photo: body camera and obituary)