Ceani Smalls, a 16-year-old girl from Philadelphia, PA, tragically lost her life on November 30, 2019. She was a straight-A student at the Mathematics, Civics & Sciences Charter School and had dreams of becoming a dentist. Ceani was shot once in the left shoulder by a gunman who was firing randomly at a crowd near 22nd Street and Sedgley Avenue in North Philadelphia.
She was killed as she stepped off a SEPTA bus.
The suspected gunman, 41-year-old Robert Jamieson, was arrested and charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder. Jamieson, a convicted felon, was found hiding behind a parked vehicle with an unloaded gun. Witnesses identified him as the shooter, and he was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Jamieson later pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to 24-50 years in prison.
Ceani's death was a devastating loss for her family, friends, and community. Her father, Dwayne Smalls, expressed his grief and determination to seek justice for his daughter. The community also mourned the loss of such a promising young life and called for an end to the senseless gun violence plaguing the city.
Ceani Smalls' story is a heartbreaking reminder of the impact of gun violence on young lives and the importance of working towards a safer community for all.
