Elisha Judd, a 16-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, tragically lost her life on May 9, 2023, in a shooting incident in the Franklinton neighborhood. Police responded to the scene on the 700 block of West Rich Street around 12:45 p.m., where they found Elisha fatally shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Elisha was a young mother, leaving behind her 10-month-old daughter, Skyla' Arya. Her family described her as a vibrant, loving individual who was deeply excited about motherhood.
Her sudden death has left her family and community devastated.
The suspect in the case, 20-year-old Tejuan Stanley, admitted to accidentally shooting Elisha. According to court documents, Stanley claimed he unintentionally loaded a round into the gun's chamber while disassembling and reassembling it. He was charged with reckless homicide, a third-degree felony. At the time of the incident, Stanley had a history of legal troubles, including prior charges of domestic violence, robbery, and assault. He was out on bond for an unrelated aggravated burglary case and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Stanley later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with Elisha's death. In December 2023, he was sentenced to serve between 9 and 13½ years in prison for his actions. The sentencing brought some resolution to the legal proceedings but could not undo the profound loss experienced by Elisha's family and her young daughter. The community continues to mourn her untimely death and remember her as a loving mother and vibrant individual whose life was cut tragically short.
