Nikel Perkins

Nikel Perkins was a young Dallas resident whose life touched family, friends and neighbors in Oak Cliff. Those who knew her describe a spirited presence who enjoyed community gatherings and time with others. In the pre-dawn hours of December 22, 2019, Nikel’s life ended suddenly while she was leaving a holiday gathering in central Oak Cliff. The loss was felt deeply by her family and by members of the local community who recalled her as a warm, well-liked young woman.

Public accounts from local news and police indicate that Nikel was not involved in the altercation that preceded the shooting. Her family publicly sought information and urged anyone with knowledge to come forward, a testament to their hope for answers and a desire to honor her memory. Friends and community members memorialized Nikel in online remembrances and vigils, emphasizing the person she was rather than the violent circumstances of her death.

While details available in the public record focus largely on the events surrounding her death, they also make clear that Nikel was a real person with relationships and a circle of people who valued her. This page honors her life — the human connections, the ordinary joys of friendship and community — and acknowledges the grief her loss has left behind. Those who remember Nikel speak of her with affection and continue to seek both justice and a way to keep her memory alive.