In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the life of 86-year-old Alice F. Hall, a Black female, was tragically cut short. On June 1, 2025, police were called to a residence in the 900 block of Colerick Street around 1:50 a.m. following a report of a shooting. Inside, they found Mrs. Hall unresponsive, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate response and life-saving efforts by medics, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Allen County Coroner's Office later confirmed her cause of death as gunshot wounds and officially ruled it a homicide, marking the 16th homicide in Allen County for the year.
The senseless act that ended the life of a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many quickly launched an intensive investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department's Homicide Detectives. The community was left in shock and mourning for a woman described as a beautiful person with a heart of gold. Her family and friends remembered her as a woman of strength and unwavering faith whose presence brought joy to every room she entered. As the investigation progressed, a somber narrative began to unfold, pointing to a dispute over trivial items.
Within days, the investigation led to the identification of two suspects. On June 6, 2025, the Fort Wayne Police Department announced the arrests of 18-year-old Devon L. Stewart Jr. and 18-year-old William Britt. Stewart was taken into custody in the 4200 block of Bowser Avenue, while Britt was arrested in the 3400 block of North Wells Street. The subsequent court documents revealed the alleged motive behind the fatal shooting was a disagreement over an Xbox and a pair of used shoes. Devon L. Stewart Jr. faces a preliminary charge of Murder, and William Britt is preliminarily charged with Murder - Acting in Concert. Both suspects were taken to the Allen County Jail as they await further legal proceedings.
