Man Convicted for 2022 Murder of Ex-Girlfriend

Ladarrin Ceazer Convicted for the Murder of Ex-Girlfriend

Shelby County, TN—Today, Ladarrin Ceazer was convicted by a jury for the shooting and killing of his ex-girlfriend, Kiara Cooper, in September 2022. Cooper’s mother witnessed the tragic incident. Following the shooting, Ceazer fled the scene.

Anonymous tips led officers to an apartment complex in Millington, where Ceazer attempted to evade capture. A foot chase ensued, during which Ceazer managed to outrun the officers. During the chase, he discarded the firearm, which was later confirmed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as the murder weapon. Ceazer was apprehended within a few days in Arkansas and subsequently brought back to Tennessee.

After a three-day trial featuring testimony from 14 witnesses for the State, the jury found Ceazer guilty of the second-degree murder of Kiara Cooper.

“Today we got justice for the family of Kiara Cooper,” said Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Monica Timmerman who served as lead prosecutor on the case along with ADA Alicia Walton.  “A while back, Kiara's mother gave me a butterfly pin to represent her daughter who loved butterflies. At the beginning of the trial this week, my entire team wore a butterfly pin every day. While A jury verdict will not bring Kiara back to her family, hopefully they get a little closure and a sense of justice.”

Caezer’s sentencing is scheduled for June 21.