African American female Samiya A. Shelton-Tillman, age 17, died on March 5, 2023, after gunfire erupted during a domestic related home invasion at her residence in the 100 block of Lee Lane in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Police were called around 8:15 p.m. and found four people shot; three were pronounced dead at the scene, including 17 year old Samiya A. Shelton-Tillman and 40 year old Cartez L. Daniels, while a 34 year old woman survived her wounds.
Two other children, a 3 year old boy and a 14 year old boy, were inside the home but were spared harm. The third person killed was later identified as 9 year old Sanai Daniels.
Within hours, investigators identified and arrested a suspect: 17 year old Byrion Montgomery, who authorities said had been dating Samiya A. Shelton-Tillman. He was taken into custody about two hours after the attack, near his residence, and later charged as an adult.
Prosecutors filed nine counts of first-degree murder, along with attempted first-degree murder, home invasion, aggravated battery with a firearm, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Bond was set at $20 million, and on March 7, 2023, he pleaded not guilty in Will County court.
Authorities detailed the brutality of the crime: prosecutors said Cartez L. Daniels was both shot and stabbed, and that gunfire also struck 17 year old Samiya A. Shelton-Tillman and 9 year old Sanai Daniels.
In the days that followed, neighbors and loved ones gathered for a vigil outside the Lee Lane home to remember the three lives lost and to grieve alongside the surviving family.
