Combatting Domestic Violence: Difficulties from first call to prosecution

Worst case scenario. A young Clovis mother is dead shot and killed in her own home.

The suspect was identified by police as Tavion Tapscott.

The victim’s mother tells Action News her daughter Breaja Jones was in a relationship with Tapscott in the past and was the father of her two-year-old.

The suspect had already been charged with domestic violence in April and was on probation when Jones was killed on Saturday.

The Marjaree Mason Center and Clovis Police said this outcome is one they fear, but they said it can be challenging to respond to domestic violence cases and get victims to safety.

From the first call to potential prosecution and beyond domestic violence calls can be dangerous for victims and difficult for police, advocates, and lawyers.

Local police and advocates said often they encounter victims and aggressors several times and they always fear the violence may lead to death.

“When you walk into a scene and see someone crying or somebody physically hurt, it is devastating for everybody involved, but ultimately the plan is to try and help this person break the cycle of violence,” said Sgt. Abby Padgett, Clovis Police.

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