Inset: Shalileha Alford (GoFundMe). Background: The Motel 6 extended-stay property on Crescent Centre Boulevard in Tucker, Georgia, where Alford was fatally shot (WXIA/YouTube).
A Georgia man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after firing repeatedly into a motel room and killing his girlfriend, who was discovered in the bathtub.
Antonio Robert Watson, 38, was convicted of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, home invasion and other offenses in the death of 30-year-old Shalileha Alford, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said. He received a life sentence plus an additional 20 years.
Police were called at about 8 a.m. on April 15, 2025, to the Motel 6 extended-stay property on Crescent Centre Boulevard in Tucker after reports of a shooting. Officers found Alford unconscious in the bathroom. Three shell casings were outside the room, while several more were located inside.
Gunfire had blown out the window at the front of the room.
Before police arrived, 911 dispatchers received a call from a man who identified himself as “Robert.” He claimed Alford had robbed him and that her dog had bitten him. Dispatchers heard multiple gunshots during the call, as the man alleged that Alford had fired at him.
Motel surveillance footage later showed Watson arriving in a Nissan Altima at approximately 7:35 a.m. He exited the vehicle roughly 10 minutes later and knocked on Alford’s door. After pulling back the curtains and recognizing Watson, she refused to let him inside.
While still speaking with 911, Watson drew a handgun and fired several rounds through the window into the room. He then entered through the broken window and fired again before fleeing to the Altima.
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Paramedics transported Alford to a hospital, where she later died.
Surveillance video contradicted Watson’s account that Alford had shot at him.
Officers later located Watson driving the Altima and used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. He was taken into custody.
One day before the shooting, Alford had reported Watson to police for assault. She said they were casually dating and that he had come to her motel room, punched her several times and threatened to shoot her in the face.
Alford was born in New York.
“Shalileha made it clear from the very beginning that she was going to live life on her own terms,” her obituary said. “Sassy, smart, and unapologetically herself, she had a mouth full of wit, a heart full of fire, and a smile that could stop you mid-sentence. She walked with confidence, spoke with conviction, and loved with her whole heart.”
The post A man who fired a barrage of shots into a motel room while speaking with 911, killing his girlfriend in a bathtub, is headed to prison first appeared on Law & Crime.