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 in prison after firing multiple shots into a motel room and killing his girlfriend, whose body was found in the bathtub.
Antonio Robert Watson, 38, was convicted of malice murder, three counts of felony murder, aggravated assault and home invasion, among other charges, in connection with the death of 30-year-old Shalileha Alford, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years.
Police responded around 8 a.m. on April 15, 2025, to the Motel 6 extended-stay property on Crescent Centre Boulevard in Tucker after receiving a report of a shooting. Officers found Alford unconscious in the room’s bathroom. Three shell casings were outside the room, while several more were found inside.
The gunfire shattered 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 several gunshots while he remained on the line, and the caller alleged that Alford had fired at him.
Surveillance footage showed Watson arriving at the motel in a Nissan Altima at about 7:35 a.m. that day. Roughly 10 minutes later, he got out of the vehicle and knocked on Alford’s door. She pulled back the curtains, recognized Watson and refused to let him inside.
While still speaking with 911 dispatchers, Watson pulled a gun from his pocket and fired several rounds through the window into the room. He then entered through the shattered window and fired additional shots before returning to his car and driving away.
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Paramedics took Alford to a hospital, where she later died.
Surveillance video contradicted Watson’s claim that Alford had shot at him.
Police later spotted Watson driving the Altima and used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. He was arrested.
One day before the shooting, Alford had contacted police to report that Watson assaulted her. She said they were casually dating and that he had come to the motel, 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 Man who fired a volley of shots into a motel room while on the phone with 911, killing his girlfriend in a bathtub, is headed to prison first appeared on Law & Crime.
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