EDWARDSVILLE, IL – A 13-year-old girl, Ra’niya Steward, from Alton in southern Illinois, tragically lost her life to a gunshot wound she sustained while standing on a porch. Authorities revealed the details of her untimely death on Wednesday.
The shooting incident took place on February 3 at about 3 p.m. when Ra’niya was on a relative’s front porch. After investigating the gunfire, authorities have come to the conclusion that the young girl was an unintended victim of the shooting.
Police Chief of Alton, Jarrett Ford, along with Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, confirmed the girl’s untimely death in a joint statement. Haine was profoundly saddened by Ra’niya’s passing and confirmed that the community was in mourning. He extended heartfelt prayers to those close to Ra’niya during their time of sorrow. Similarly, Ford was deeply affected by the loss of the young girl, expressing his condolences for the vibrant girl’s tragic loss of life.
Regarding the incident, three Alton men, aged between 19 to 24 years, have been arrested and charged with felonies related to attempted first-degree murder. They were in the Madison County Jail as of Wednesday.
Based on court documents, police believe that the shooting was aimed at a different group.