ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A Pennsylvania man is facing a series of serious charges after authorities say he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment using a rooftop fire escape and unleashed a deadly barrage of gunfire, killing her in front of her 3-month-old baby and new boyfriend.
According to court documents and police reports, 27-year-old Alexander Makowka used a rooftop fire escape to access the home of Destinee Battle, his former girlfriend and the mother of his child. Once inside the Allentown apartment, Makowka reportedly entered a bedroom where Battle was with her baby and another man — and opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle.
Investigators say that the other man tried to grab the barrel of the rifle to stop the attack, but Makowka fired every round he had. Multiple shell casings were later recovered from the bedroom floor. Authorities also found Makowka’s sweatshirt and rifle case on the roof near the access point he allegedly used to enter the unit.
After the shooting, Makowka fled the scene and was captured nearly 60 miles away in Delaware County, near Philadelphia.
Battle was found fatally shot in a hallway. An autopsy confirmed she died of multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot to the head. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Miraculously, her infant son and the man in the room were unharmed.
Makowka now faces charges of criminal homicide, attempted criminal homicide, and two counts of aggravated assault, according to the Allentown Police Department. He remains in custody and is awaiting extradition to Lehigh County, where the shooting occurred.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan confirmed that there was a custody dispute between Battle and Makowka over their infant son. Court documents further reveal that Makowka allegedly entered the apartment with the intent to kill both the baby and Battle’s new boyfriend.
Friends of the victim say this tragedy was foreseeable and preventable. One close friend, speaking through emotional video messages posted online, alleged that Battle suffered emotional and physical abuse at the hands of Makowka during their relationship. After their breakup, he reportedly began stalking her and her new partner.
“I have her dog. I have her cat. What I don’t have is justice,” the friend said in a video post. “I want him to get first-degree murder. I will not rest until he gets first-degree murder.”
The shooting has drawn widespread outrage, with growing calls for justice and accountability.
The investigation is being led by the Allentown Police Department, in collaboration with the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office. Officials say the case remains active as they continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
This tragic incident underscores the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating consequences it can bring to families and communities.
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