Milwaukee Woman Stabbed by Downstairs Neighbor After Accidentally Locking Her Out

Kiera Hennings, 35, suffered a collapsed lung and lacerated liver after neighbor Tawanna Gant allegedly stabbed her twice. Gant, 51, is charged with reckless injury with a deadly weapon.

Duplex Dispute Turns Violent: Milwaukee Woman Stabbed Twice, Hospitalized

A Milwaukee woman nearly died after her downstairs neighbor allegedly stabbed her twice during a fight that began when she accidentally locked the neighbor out of their shared duplex, Law & Crime reports.

Kiera Hennings, 35, told local Fox affiliate WITI that she was attacked by 51-year-old Tawanna Gant on the evening of Aug. 19. According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law & Crime, officers responded to the duplex just after 8:30 p.m. and found Hennings wrapped in a blood-soaked sheet. "I'm dying," she told them when they arrived. Asked who had attacked her, she replied, "Tawanna stabbed me."

Hennings was taken to the hospital and treated for stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. The injuries left her with a collapsed lung and a lacerated liver.

A dispute months in the making

After her release from the hospital, Hennings told WITI that she had accidentally locked the front door of the duplex when she left to go shopping. Gant had been outside letting her dogs out and found herself locked out of her apartment.

But according to the complaint, tensions were already running high before Hennings even stepped out. Hennings' brother told police he heard Gant shout, "This b— is going to get her a— beat," as the siblings were preparing to leave. Officers noted there had been ongoing conflict between the two households, including a separate altercation a month earlier.

When Hennings' brother judged it safe to leave, the two went downstairs. At that point, Gant, her two sons — including a 15-year-old — and the girlfriend of one of the sons were outside and locked out of the building. Doorbell camera footage obtained by WITI captured a verbal argument that quickly escalated.

"She attacked me," Hennings told WITI, describing the initial confrontation. "I think she grabbed me by my wig, and I was forced to defend myself."

Stabbing during a second altercation

According to the complaint, Gant, both of her sons, and the girlfriend of one of them all allegedly participated in the brawl. At some point Hennings attempted to retreat to her upstairs apartment, but Gant punched her and fighting resumed. Hennings' brother tried to pull her away. The two siblings eventually made it back inside, and the brother's girlfriend called police.

When Hennings saw flashing lights outside, she went back downstairs to speak with officers. She only reached the midpoint of the staircase when one of the male neighbors "grabbed her and dragged her down the remaining stairs," the complaint states. It was during this second confrontation that Gant allegedly stabbed her. Hennings' brother carried her back to the apartment.

While Hennings was upstairs, Gant and the other downstairs neighbors began breaking down her door. Police arrived at that moment.

Nine-year-old son credited with helping save her life

Hennings told WITI that her young son played a critical role in keeping her alive. "I asked my 9-year-old son to get a sheet to preserve me," she said. "So thank god the paramedics came within 10 minutes."

Gant denied stabbing Hennings and admitted only to fighting her. She told police that her son's girlfriend had done the alleged stabbing. Her 15-year-old son, who allegedly took part in the fight, reportedly offered to take the blame for his mother.

Charges and custody

Gant has been charged with reckless injury with a deadly weapon and is held at the Milwaukee County Jail on a $20,000 cash bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Source: Law & Crime