SHREVEPORT, LA – A grandmother faces multiple charges after a fatal blaze last fall claimed the lives of her two young granddaughters, as authorities announce significant developments in a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community.
Rita Ann Montgomery, 50, was arrested this week in connection with the October 2025 house fire that engulfed a residence on Milton Street, resulting in the deaths of 8-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and 5-year-old Danielle Spearman. Both girls were living in the home alongside Montgomery at the time of the incident.
Authorities have charged Montgomery with two counts of second-degree murder, aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and the manufacturing and possession of a delayed-action incendiary device. Investigators believe the device used was a Molotov cocktail, a makeshift explosive intended to ignite large fires.
The investigation has also ensnared another resident, 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey, who faces charges related to contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and engaging in prohibited activities. Cooksey resided in the same Milton Street home with Montgomery and the children.
The sequence of events unfolded in the early morning hours of October 13, when flames erupted in two separate locations within the residence—one originating at the rear of the property shortly after midnight, and another flaring up near the front nearly two hours later. While a total of three adults and five children were present during the blaze, only two young girls failed to escape.
Authorities said that while the method behind the fire has become clearer, the motive remains shrouded in mystery. Investigators continue to deliberate whether there was intent behind the tragedy or if there are other circumstances yet to be discovered.
In the aftermath of the fire, an early arrest brought a 15-year-old male to the center of suspicion. But those charges were quickly dropped when a grand jury did not find sufficient evidence to indict the teenager, allowing the focus of the investigation to shift elsewhere.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the recent arrests were the result of a painstaking and comprehensive investigation. They acknowledged the heartbreak inflicted on the victims’ family and the broader Shreveport community. Authorities stressed the complexity of the case, which required months of forensic analysis and witness interviews.
Additional warrants have been issued for two more individuals—Sherika Spearman and Bobby Grant, relatives of the girls—on charges related to child delinquency. The exact details behind their alleged involvement have yet to be fully disclosed, but authorities have confirmed the ongoing search for answers.
The tragedy continues to reverberate among friends, neighbors, and relatives still grappling with the loss of two young lives. Police affirmed their dedication to uncovering the full circumstances of the deadly fire as the case moves forward.
Court appearances for the accused have not yet been scheduled, while the community awaits further developments and hopes for closure in the weeks ahead.