On Tuesday, February 13, 13-year-old Ra’niya Steward from Alton, Illinois died after suffering gunshot wounds to the head in an incident on February 3.
The shooting occurred while Ra’niya was standing on the front porch of a relative’s home in the 900 block of Highland Avenue. Police say the teen was not the intended target of the gunfire.
Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford and Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced Steward’s death in a joint statement on Wednesday expressing their sadness and offering their prayers and condolences to the family.
Following the incident, police action led to the arrest of three men from Alton, aged 19 to 24, on charges including attempted first-degree murder, connected to the shooting. Held in the Madison County Jail since Wednesday, court documents suggest the suspects targeted a rival group, not Steward.
The three adults charged were identified as Raysean M. Colvin, 19, Keith A. Sanders, 24; and Alvin Perry III, 19. They are facing unlawful weapon possession, first-degree murder, and aggravated assault with a firearm that led to Steward’s injury and ultimate death.
Court documents reveal that Sanders had communicated to minors that a conflicting gang was situated at a particular site. He suggested they should carry guns to either try an armed theft, fire shots, or intimidate the opposing group of rivals.
Additionally, two 16-year-old teenagers were also named in the court documents as having participated in the incident. According to the States Attorney’s office, the charges could be amended and the two teenagers might be charged as adults.
The Alton Police Department emphasizes that their investigation is ongoing, reinforcing that Steward was an unintended victim.
