MILWAUKEE, Wis. — What began as an accidental lockout at a shared Milwaukee duplex quickly escalated into a violent confrontation that left a 35-year-old woman seriously injured, according to police.
Kiera Hennings told local media that she nearly died after allegedly being attacked by her downstairs neighbor, 51-year-old Tawanna Gant, following an argument outside the duplex.
Police responded to the property shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 19. When officers arrived, they found Hennings wrapped in a blood-soaked sheet.
“I’m dying,” Hennings reportedly told officers.
As one officer treated her injuries, police asked who had attacked her.
“Tawanna stabbed me,” Hennings replied, according to the criminal complaint.
Hennings was taken to a hospital, where doctors treated her for two stab wounds, including one to her chest and another to her abdomen.
Accidental Lockout Sparks Heated Confrontation
Hennings later told that the confrontation began after she accidentally locked the front door while leaving the duplex to go shopping.
Gant was reportedly outside with her dogs at the time and was unable to get back into her apartment.
However, according to the criminal complaint, tensions between the neighbors had already been building before Hennings left her upstairs apartment. Hennings’ brother told investigators he heard Gant allegedly threaten that Hennings was going to get beaten.
Police also said there had been ongoing problems between the neighbors, including another altercation about a month earlier.
When Hennings and her brother eventually went downstairs, Gant and four other people were reportedly outside, including Gant’s 15-year-old son.
A doorbell camera reportedly captured a verbal argument, but Hennings said the confrontation soon became physical.
Multiple People Allegedly Join the Fight
Hennings told that Gant attacked her and that she was forced to defend herself.
“She attacked me. I think she grabbed me by my wig, and I was forced to defend myself,” Hennings said.
According to the complaint, the confrontation involved Gant, her two sons and the girlfriend of one of her sons. At one point, Hennings attempted to leave the confrontation and return to her upstairs apartment. Police allege that Gant punched her, leading to another physical struggle between the two women.
Hennings’ brother attempted to pull his sister away, and the siblings eventually made it back upstairs.
The girlfriend of Hennings’ brother then called police. But the confrontation was not over.
Woman Allegedly Dragged Down Stairs
When Hennings noticed police lights outside, she reportedly went downstairs to speak with officers.
According to the criminal complaint, she had only made it partway down the staircase when a male neighbor allegedly grabbed her and dragged her down the remaining stairs.
Police say it was during this second confrontation that Hennings was allegedly stabbed by Gant. Hennings’ brother then carried her back upstairs while police were arriving at the property.
The situation remained tense even after Hennings was back inside her apartment.
Neighbors Allegedly Try to Break Down Door
According to the complaint, Gant and the other downstairs neighbors allegedly began trying to break down Hennings’ apartment door.
Police arrived at the scene as the confrontation continued. Hennings later credited her 9-year-old son with helping her survive the ordeal.
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“I asked my 9-year-old son to get a sheet to preserve me, so thank god the paramedics came within 10 minutes,” she told.
Her injuries were serious. Doctors treated her for stab wounds that resulted in a collapsed lung and lacerated liver.
Neighbor Denies Stabbing Allegation
Gant has denied stabbing Hennings.
Police said Gant admitted that she fought with Hennings but claimed that her son’s girlfriend was responsible for the stabbing.
Investigators also said Gant’s 15-year-old son offered to take responsibility for the stabbing, allegedly in an effort to protect his mother.
Authorities will now determine how the evidence and competing accounts fit together as the criminal case moves forward.
Gant Remains in Jail on $20,000 Bond
Gant has been charged with reckless injury with a deadly weapon and remains in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail.
She is being held on a $20,000 cash bond, with her next court appearance scheduled for Sept. 8.
For Hennings, the incident has left her recovering from serious injuries and facing the aftermath of a confrontation that allegedly began with something as simple as accidentally locking a neighbor out.
The case remains pending, and the allegations against Gant have not been proven in court.
What do you think about how quickly an accidental lockout turned into a violent confrontation? Share your thoughts in the comments.