Gennia Grimes Killed By Boy Friend

Gennia Grimes

Tragedy Strikes Alabama State University as Aspiring Lawyer Gennia Grimes is Murdered

By Sharnellia Bennett-Smith

Montgomery, AL — The Alabama State University community is mourning the loss of 21-year-old Gennia Grimes, a bright and determined junior majoring in criminal justice, who was fatally shot on March 27, 2025, in Pike Road, Alabama. Her boyfriend, 20-year-old Rogers McCloud Jr., has been charged with capital murder in her death.

Grimes, a proud graduate of Mays High School in Atlanta (Class of 2021), was a beloved member of ASU's Honey Beez dance team. Her energy and talent were unmistakable, earning her a moment of viral fame on social media years ago, including a feature on The Shade Room that spotlighted her infectious personality and confidence. Performing under names like "Strawberry" and "Purple Doll," she exuded ambition and joy.

Despite becoming a mother in 2024 to her son, Rogers McCloud III, Grimes returned to school to pursue her dreams. She was expected to graduate in August 2025 with plans to become a lawyer—a goal that symbolized her commitment to justice and creating a better future for her son.

Her tragic death has sparked a broader conversation about the dangers women face, particularly ambitious young women, in relationships with men. Far too often, women with goals and purpose find themselves entangled with partners who feel threatened by their light, their future, and their independence. Authorities say McCloud Jr.'s statements did not align with forensic evidence, leading to his arrest. The case is being investigated as an act of domestic violence—though that term hardly captures the depth of this tragedy. Adding to the heartbreak, sources report that after taking Gennia’s life, her boyfriend allegedly called his mother—not to seek help or turn himself in, but to ask for advice on how to cover up the crime and escape justice. Shockingly, his mother did not alert the authorities.

ASU officials have expressed deep sorrow, remembering Grimes not only as a student but as a beacon of resilience, spirit, and brilliance. A GoFundMe has been launched to support her family and her young son. Her funeral is scheduled for April 12 at Antioch North Baptist Church in Atlanta.