Alteria Woods
Birth date:
February 2, 1996
Death date:
March 19, 2017
Age at Death:
21
About
Alteria Woods, 21 years old, was born in Vero Beach, Florida to her parents Yoland Woods and Alton Woods. She had two siblings, Alton Woods Jr. and Alexus Woods. In high school, Woods was a member of the National Honor Society, the basketball team, and the cheerleading squad. She was also a member of the Staten Temple Church of God by Faith where she was heavily involved in youth ministry and serving at a local food pantry. After high school she continued her education at UCF and Indian River State College. At the time of her death, she was employed as a pharmaceutical assistant.
After going to see a movie and going to the county fair with her mother, Woods went to see her boyfriend at his house. That night, officers received a tip that Woods' boyfriend was in possession of cocaine and at 5:30 AM, 20 police officers went to his residence to perform a drug raid. Woods' boyfriend had already been arrested near the front door and detained by officers when the officers decided to perform a "flash-bang" into the home. This "flash-bang" is what killed Alteria Woods as she was shot 10 times while laying in a bed inside of the home. The use of the flash band was deemed unnecessary as the target of the warrant was already in custody when the officers decided to fire into the home. It was also determined that Woods was shot 10 times specifically by one of the 20 officers that were present.
Was justice served?
As of March 2021, justice has not been served. There was a case and trial where they interviewed more than 24 witnesses, 19 of which were law enforcement officers. The suit currently states that three of the officers present the night of the murder violated Woods' 4th and 14th amendment rights. The officers were given paid leave after the murder and eventually brought the officers back to the force with no punishment. The jury ended up prosecuting Woods' boyfriend with her death due to his possession of drugs and potential but not proven use of Woods' as a human shield when being shot at. In January 2021, Alteria Woods' mother filed a federal lawsuit against the three officers who were believed to have been the cause of Woods' death. This case is still pending, but Woods' mother, Yolanda Woods, plans to continue to fight until justice is served.