Davonye Cummings, 19-Year-Old Mother of Newborn Twin Girls, Fatally Shot in East Oakland
Davonye Cummings, 19-Year-Old Mother of Newborn Twin Girls, Fatally Shot in East Oakland; Boyfriend Terrence Miles, 32, and His Mother Face Charges in Tragic Domestic Violence Case
Introduction: A Life Taken Too Soon
On the morning of March 2, 2025, the quiet of an East Oakland neighborhood was shattered by a devastating act of violence that ended the life of 19-year-old Davonye Cummings—a young mother who had just begun what was meant to be a new chapter. Only 13 days earlier, she had welcomed twin baby girls into the world. Her journey into motherhood was abruptly and horrifically cut short when she was shot and killed inside an apartment on 74th Avenue.
The alleged shooter? Her partner, 32-year-old Terrence Miles, the father of her newborns. In the wake of her death, the community has been left grappling with sorrow, shock, and outrage—not only over the act itself but over what followed.
The Morning of the Shooting
At approximately 8:00 a.m., police were dispatched to the East Oakland apartment where Davonye lived with Miles and their two newborn daughters. Inside, officers discovered Davonye’s lifeless body, a single gunshot wound to the neck sealing the fate of a promising young woman whose entire future had been ahead of her.
According to court documents and police reports, Terrence Miles made a chilling phone call to his own mother shortly after the shooting, reportedly saying: “Mom, help! I shot her… I didn’t mean to.” What unfolded next only deepened the tragedy.
A Mother’s Intervention and a Delayed 911 Call
Rather than dialing emergency services immediately, Miles’ mother allegedly drove to the scene of the shooting first. Surveillance and witness testimony indicate she entered the apartment, collected the twin infants, and then removed the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. Only then—after Davonye had already died—was 911 called.
Investigators believe this decision may have delayed life-saving measures, though Davonye was likely already deceased by the time authorities arrived. Still, the implications of interfering with a crime scene and failing to render aid have weighed heavily on the case.
Miles’ mother was later arrested for her role in obstructing justice, tampering with evidence, and delaying police response. She now faces criminal charges and remains in custody.
Who Was Davonye Cummings?
Friends, family, and neighbors describe Davonye as bright, kind-hearted, and full of life. She had recently turned 19 and was known for her infectious smile and deep love for her family. Becoming a mother had filled her with hope, despite the challenges of being a teenager with two newborns.
“She was determined to do right by her girls,” said her cousin, Keira Taylor. “She was excited to raise them, to give them what she never had. She didn’t deserve this.”
Her family is now left to pick up the pieces—grieving not only the loss of Davonye but grappling with how to care for the two infants she left behind.
The Man Accused: Terrence Miles’ Troubled Past
Terrence Miles, 32, originally from Alameda, has a history that now draws scrutiny. According to law enforcement records, Miles has five prior felony convictions, including violent offenses and illegal gun possession. He was not legally allowed to possess a firearm, and yet, investigators say, he had access to one that he used to kill the mother of his children.
Neighbors report that Davonye and Miles had a tumultuous relationship, with loud arguments occasionally overheard through the apartment walls. However, there were no recent police reports of domestic violence—until that morning.
Prosecutors have charged Miles with three felonies:
- Murder (Penal Code 187)
- Domestic Violence Resulting in Death
- Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
He is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and is awaiting trial.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Proceedings
The case against Miles is moving swiftly. At his arraignment, which took place on March 5, he entered a plea of not guilty. His defense attorney has not publicly commented on the allegations, but legal analysts suggest that the evidence—including the alleged confession to his mother—could be damning.
Miles’ mother has also been formally charged with accessory to murder and evidence tampering. She too remains behind bars.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has indicated it may seek enhanced sentencing due to Miles’ prior felonies and the presence of minors at the scene. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Community in Mourning
The killing has reignited conversations about domestic violence, gun control, and the systemic failure to protect young women—particularly young Black women like Davonye Cummings.
Local activists held a vigil at the site of the shooting, where candles, flowers, and handwritten notes surrounded a photo of Davonye smiling while holding her babies. “She didn’t deserve to die like this,” said Tanisha Wright, an organizer with Oakland’s Black Women United. “We have to do more to protect our sisters.”
Community leaders are calling for better support systems for young mothers, more proactive domestic violence interventions, and expanded mental health services.
Custody of the Twin Girls
The fate of Davonye’s newborn daughters now rests in the hands of Child Protective Services and the family court system. Initially placed in temporary foster care, the girls are now reportedly in the custody of Davonye’s maternal grandmother, who has expressed the desire to raise them and keep their mother’s memory alive.
“These girls are all we have left of her,” said her grandmother, Martha Cummings. “We’re going to give them the life Davonye wanted for them. I just wish she could see them grow up.”
The Broader Issue: Domestic Violence in the U.S.
Davonye’s death underscores a grim reality. According to the CDC, about 1 in 3 women in the U.S. experience intimate partner violence. For Black women, the risk of being killed by a current or former partner is disproportionately high. Many cases go unreported until it’s too late.
In California alone, hundreds of women are killed every year by intimate partners. Advocates stress that more needs to be done to educate, intervene, and protect those at risk.
A Call for Justice
As legal proceedings continue, Davonye’s loved ones are focused on two things: seeking justice in the courtroom and building a future for her daughters. Fundraisers have been launched to support the twins, and a memorial scholarship is being discussed in Davonye’s name to help other young mothers pursue education and escape cycles of abuse.
“This didn’t just happen to Davonye,” said her aunt, Alisha. “This happens to women every day, and it needs to stop. We want justice—not just in the courts, but in the systems that failed to protect her.”
Conclusion: A Legacy Cut Short but Not Forgotten
Davonye Cummings’ story is one of heartbreak, but it is also a wake-up call. Her life was full of potential, her dreams centered on her children and their future. That future has now been irreversibly altered.
But in the voices of her grieving family, in the outpouring of support from her community, and in the eyes of her daughters, Davonye’s spirit endures.
Her story is not over—not while there is still a fight for justice and a demand for change.
