On March 5, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Bolingbrook, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including 9-year-old Sanai London Daniels. The incident took place in the 100 block of Lee Lane, approximately 30 miles west of Chicago, where a home invasion and shooting occurred around 8:15 PM.
Sanai Daniels, born on October 29, 2013, to Tania Stewart and Cartez Daniels Sr., was one of the victims.
Along with her, 40-year-old Cartez Daniels, her father, and 17-year-old Samiya A. Shelton-Tillman, the daughter of Tania Stewart and Cartez Daniels' fiancee, were also fatally shot. Tania Stewart, 34, who was also present, survived the shooting by playing dead, but she was seriously injured and hospitalized in stable condition.
The suspect in the case is Byrion Montgomery, 17, of Bolingbrook, who was dating Samiya Shelton-Tillman at the time. It is reported that the couple had recently broken up, and Montgomery did not take the separation well. Montgomery has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, home invasion, aggravated battery, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently being held at the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center, with plans to be transferred to the Will County Jail after he turns 18 on April 27, 2023. His bail has been set at $20 million.
The community came together to mourn the victims, with a vigil held at the DuPage Township Center, where family members, neighbors, and community leaders gathered to honor the lives of Cartez Daniels, Sanai Daniels, and Samiya Shelton-Tillman. The incident has left a profound impact on the community, with many expressing their grief and shock at the senseless violence.
In the aftermath, counselors were made available at the schools attended by Sanai and Samiya to support students and staff dealing with the tragedy. The incident highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the need for community support and awareness.
