MILWAUKEE — The mother of Shamarla “Asir” Hare wants Milwaukee to remember her daughter as a loving mother, proud Navy veteran and generous woman who died standing up for herself inside her own home.
Hare, 38, was one of three people killed in two connected Milwaukee shootings on August 8. Her mother, Tarshia Hare, said Shamarla regularly helped relatives, children and people experiencing homelessness.
“She was a kind, loving person,” Tarshia said. “She was always there. She was a mini me. It’s just as simple as that.”
One of Tarshia’s fondest memories of her daughter happened shortly before her death during a visit to the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. Tarshia did not feel able to make the walk, so Shamarla placed her in a wheelchair and began pushing her.
When Shamarla became winded, Tarshia told her she could stop and rest.
“She said, ‘No, I got it, Mama. I got it. We’re going to have fun, and I’m going to get you to where we need to get to,'” Tarshia recalled.
A proud Navy veteran
Shamarla joined the Navy after her mother encouraged her to attend college or pursue another path after high school.
“She did it with a smile on her face,” Tarshia said. “She was so happy with the decision that she had made, and I was as well.”
Tarshia said military service taught her daughter respect and commitment.
“She took it with pride,” she said. “She loved it.”
Shamarla was also the mother of an 18-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son.
Three people killed in two shootings
Prosecutors accuse 36-year-old Thomas Zollicoffer of killing three people in two separate shootings.
The first shooting happened near 21st and Pierce streets, where 26-year-old Vanessa DeHerrera and 29-year-old Scott Bucholz were killed.
According to the criminal complaint, Zollicoffer then traveled to a home near 39th and Townsend streets, where Shamarla was shot and killed approximately 25 minutes later.
Tarshia said she was told Zollicoffer arrived at the home after the first shooting and spoke about killing two people. She believes her daughter refused to allow him to remain inside or become involved in what happened.
“She made a decision about her life, and she didn’t want to be bothered with any of that mess that he had just done,” Tarshia said.
According to her mother, other people inside the home witnessed the confrontation.
“She stood up for herself: ‘You can’t stay here,'” Tarshia said. “He got mad.”
Tarshia believes her daughter was fighting for her life and defending herself inside her own home.
“As far as I’m concerned, my baby died a hero because she was defending herself in her home,” she said. “He came there and took her life.”
Tarshia said her daughter did not have a close relationship with Zollicoffer. She is still trying to understand why Shamarla was targeted.
“Why? Just why?” Tarshia asked. “I probably won’t ever get that answer.”
Family devastated by loss
Shamarla’s 18-year-old daughter had moved into her college dormitory one day before the shooting. Her father had to pick her up from school after the family learned that her mother had been killed.
“She’s devastated,” Tarshia said.
Tarshia is now caring for Shamarla’s 13-year-old son and trying to keep him occupied while the family grieves.
“I don’t know what impact it’s going to have on her son,” she said. “I keep him busy, but when homecoming comes, I don’t know what the effects are going to be afterward.”
Tarshia said the last time she saw her daughter was August 4.
“I gave her a hug, and I gave her a kiss, and I told her I loved her,” she said. “I had no idea that was going to be the last time I saw my baby.”
Since the killing, Tarshia said she has struggled to sleep and leave her home. She said she repeatedly thinks about her daughter’s final moments and is now taking medication for her nerves while trying to remain strong for her grandson.
“I wake up in the morning and cry for a couple of hours every day since this happened,” she said. “I can’t even work.”
Suspect held on $1 million bond
Zollicoffer was arrested following a standoff near 84th Street and Fiebrantz Avenue.
He faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide and four counts of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A court commissioner set his cash bond at $1 million.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 24 at 1:30 p.m.
The charges are allegations. Zollicoffer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Although the arrest brought Tarshia some relief, she said it cannot return what her family lost.
“My baby is gone,” she said. “I can never get her back.”
Two other people have also been charged in connection with the case. Prosecutors accuse 38-year-old Elena Cole and 47-year-old Sengchanh Phengphonsavanh of harboring or aiding Zollicoffer after the shootings. Cole also faces three misdemeanor child-neglect charges.
“She was a hero“
Tarshia wants the public to remember her daughter for her service, generosity and willingness to stand up for what she believed was right.
“She loved life. She loved helping people,” Tarshia said. “She was a veteran. To take that oath and be able to fight for our country—to me, that’s a hero.”
The family is seeking financial help to bring Shamarla home and cover her burial expenses. Tarshia said a GoFundMe has been established for the family.
She also shared a message for other mothers and for those contributing to gun violence in Milwaukee.
“Love on your kids as much as you can because you don’t ever know what’s going to happen,” Tarshia said. “These young people with these guns need to lay them down. You’re taking people’s lives and breaking their loved ones’ hearts.”
Her final request to the community was simple:
“Just pray for me and my family.”
