Tina Knowles expressed her condolences after Howard University law professor Kiah Duggins was killed in the recent American Airlines plane crash.
Knowles, 71, expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic loss of a talented young woman in a heartfelt Instagram post on January 31. He offered his condolences and love to her grieving family.
She added, “God bless your soul, Kiah❤️❤️❤️.”
In addition to his message, Knowles posted a tribute graphic featuring a portrait of Duggins. The graphic described her as a promising academic who was on her way to joining the faculty at Howard University School of Law. Her untimely passing has left a void that will be felt by many.
The devastating incident occurred on January 29 when an American Airlines plane, en route from Wichita, Kansas, crashed into the Potomac River following a collision with a military helicopter. Among the passengers onboard the ill-fated flight were Duggins and several other individuals, marking a tragic end to their journey.
Howard University is an HBCU located in Washington, D.C., and the school’s president later issued a tribute to Duggins.
“It is with profound sadness that the Howard University community and the Howard University School of Law have learned of the passing of Professor Kiah Duggins, who was among those lost in the mid-air plane collision at Reagan National Airport,” Dr. Ben Vinson III said in a Thursday, January 30, X statement. “We ask for privacy and respect for Professor Duggins’ family, students and colleagues during this difficult time.”
The university’s official X page reposted Vinson’s message before sharing a longer obituary via LinkedIn.
“We ask for privacy and respect for Professor Duggins’ family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time. Plans to honor her legacy will be shared in coming days,” the statement read, in part. “We encourage our community to seek any support they may need.”
Duggins had recently accepted a position as a faculty member at Howard’s law school. She previously worked as a civil rights attorney.
“She dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C,” the university statement added.
In addition to Duggins’ passing, there were also 14 youth figure skaters onboard the aircraft. The amateur athletes were traveling home from the U.S. Figure Skating Team’s development camp held in Wichita earlier this month.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts,” a statement from the organization read. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available.”
