In the early hours of February 23, 2026, the life of 17-year-old Ni’Dreyah Marshall was tragically cut short in a Wilkins Township apartment just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A student at Woodland Hills High School, Ni’Dreyah was remembered as a radiant light with a pure and gentle heart, whose smile and laughter brought joy to those around her.
She was a devoted praise dancer at The Cathedral at Seed and Harvest Ministries, finding expression and purpose in her faith.
On that fateful morning, Ni’Dreyah was in her mother's apartment at the Brentmoor at Penn Center with three other individuals. Among them was 20-year-old Rayohna Hexstall. The group was reportedly drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana when a handgun, legally belonging to one of the men present, was introduced. Witnesses reported that Hexstall began waving the gun around. Despite the owner of the firearm having removed the magazine, a live round remained in the chamber. As Hexstall handled the weapon, it discharged, and a single bullet struck Ni’Dreyah in the head as she sat on her bed.
Following the shooting, two of the individuals in the apartment called 911. Paramedics arrived to find Ni'Dreyah deceased at the scene. Initially, Hexstall claimed that another person in the room had fired the weapon. However, witness statements contradicted her account, indicating that she was the one holding the gun when it went off.
Allegheny County Police arrested Rayohna Hexstall and charged her with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment. At the time of the incident, Hexstall's one-year-old daughter was also present in the apartment, seated in a car seat near the front door. Following her arraignment, Hexstall was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
