Arizona Survivor: Woman Shot 8 Times by Ex-Boyfriend on Path to Full Recovery

BUCKEYE, Ariz. — Aniya Brown, a West Valley college student, is on the road to recovery after being shot eight times by her ex-boyfriend. The violent incident unfolded at her home on November 19, dramatically altering her life.

At just 20 years old, Brown juggles studies in business and a basketball career at Park University in Gilbert. She described her past relationship as a “fairytale” when she first met her ex on Instagram, but things took a darker turn after six months of dating.

Following their breakup in October, Brown noted that her ex-boyfriend became increasingly persistent and intrusive, appearing at her workplace and home. Though initially feeling secure, that sentiment quickly shifted when he arrived at her doorstep on the fateful day.

“The tone in his voice started to change. The look in his eye was different,” she recalled. Brown felt a surge of fear as she reached for her keys and was suddenly met with gunfire.

Authorities confirm that Jayden Kidd, 23, fired at Brown, hitting her twice in the arm and six times in the back before turning the gun on himself. Buckeye police reported that Kidd succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Despite the severity of her wounds, Brown describes her injuries as manageable. “All the bullets only hit tissue,” she explained. The most significant damage was to her arm, which suffered fractures in two places.

Brown has undergone multiple surgeries and is now walking with a cane. She focuses on her recovery, saying, “I’m just focused on getting healthy again.” While she acknowledges her situation’s peril, she doesn’t label herself a survivor.

In her experience, Brown emphasizes that domestic violence can manifest in various ways, not only through physical harm. “It doesn’t come in forms of violence all the time. Sometimes it can be the obsessive love,” she warned, cautioning others about the subtle signs that can precede violence.

Looking forward, Brown aims to return to basketball as she recuperates. To support her recovery, her family has set up a GoFundMe page for donations.