On a Thursday evening, April 21, 2022, in a quiet neighborhood in Binghamton, New York, 12-year-old Aliza Spencer was enjoying a walk with her father and 13-year-old brother, just a short distance from their home. The simple family outing turned into a scene of unimaginable horror when a single gunshot echoed through the air. Aliza was struck in the chest by what police described as a small-caliber bullet.
She was rushed to a local hospital but tragically succumbed to her wound.
Aliza was a sixth-grade honor roll student at East Middle School, known for being a bright and talented softball player who was well-loved by her teachers and classmates. Her sudden and senseless death sent shockwaves of grief and fear through the Binghamton community. Investigators were quick to rule out a drive-by shooting but were left with the perplexing question of where the fatal shot originated. In the days and weeks that followed, police assured the public that every available law enforcement resource was being dedicated to solving the case.
Despite an intensive and ongoing investigation, which has since been joined by the New York State Police and the FBI, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made in Aliza's case. The mystery of who fired the shot and why continues to haunt her family and the community. A significant reward, which has grown to $50,000, has been offered for any information that leads to an arrest. The community has held rallies and created memorials, refusing to let Aliza's memory fade while they await justice. Her family remains in a painful state of limbo, grappling with the unanswered questions surrounding the loss of their daughter.
