You’ll want to know what happened, who’s been charged, and why this case has shaken a community — and the newest developments answer that: a grandmother faces criminal charges after a Shreveport house fire killed two young girls.
The arrest follows months of investigation into the October blaze that took two children’s lives and prompted charges including aggravated arson and murder.
The post will walk through the details of the incident, how investigators built their case, and how neighbors and officials have reacted to a tragedy that has left many demanding answers.
Grandmother Charged After Shreveport House Fire
Two adults have been arrested after a fatal October house fire on the 3100 block of Milton Street that killed two young girls. Authorities allege an incendiary device played a central role and have identified the victims and the suspects involved.
Incident on Milton Street: What Happened
Fire crews responded to the Milton Street residence in Shreveport in October 2025 after a rapidly spreading blaze. Neighbors reported heavy smoke and flames; Shreveport Fire Department personnel found the structure heavily involved upon arrival and began rescue and suppression efforts immediately.
Investigators later determined the fire’s origin was consistent with an intentional ignition. Fire officials noted patterns and witness statements that prompted a criminal investigation rather than an accidental-determination. The home’s condition and burn patterns led authorities to treat the scene as a crime scene while detectives collected evidence.
Victims Identified: Aaliyah Robinson and Danielle Spearman
The two children who died were identified as eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman. Both were inside the Milton Street home when the fire began, and they succumbed to the blaze before they could be rescued.
Family members and community members have publicly mourned the girls, and local officials confirmed their identities while investigators worked through forensic and testimonial evidence. The loss prompted increased attention to how the fire started and whether prior incidents involving the same residence or people related to it factored into the investigation.
Charges Against Rita Montgomery and Alonza Cooksey
Authorities arrested 50-year-old Rita Ann Montgomery and Alonza Cooksey in connection with the Milton Street fire. Montgomery faces multiple felony counts including two counts of second-degree murder, aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and charges tied to manufacturing and possessing an incendiary device, according to charging reports.
Cooksey was arrested alongside Montgomery; charging documents list him among suspects connected to the incident. Later reporting indicates other relatives were questioned and some faced separate charges related to juvenile endangerment. Prosecutors said the evidence supported moving forward with serious arson and homicide charges.
The Role of an Incendiary Device in the Fire
Investigators allege a makeshift incendiary or delayed-action incendiary device started the blaze. Fire department investigators reported burn patterns and residue consistent with an accelerant or improvised incendiary device rather than a simple accidental ignition.
Some reports specifically describe what authorities called a Molotov-style device. That allegation factors into the aggravated arson and weapons-related charges against Montgomery and informs the murder counts because the device’s use led to the children’s deaths. Investigators also reviewed Montgomery’s alleged history with prior fires while building their case.
Investigation and Community Response
The investigation identified multiple arrests and a charge lineup that ties alleged arson to the deaths of two young girls. Local officials and residents have responded with both anger and calls for answers as authorities continue forensic and legal work.
Arson Investigators and Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr.
Shreveport Fire Department investigators concluded the fire began at the front of the home and reported evidence consistent with an incendiary device. They identified what they believe was a delayed-action incendiary, and their work led to arrests announced by the department. Fire investigators documented two separate fires at the residence, one at the rear earlier and a more destructive blaze at the front that produced the fatal injuries.
Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. publicly described the evidence as strong enough to support charges and noted investigators will seek additional arrests if warranted. He emphasized the technical steps SFD used: scene preservation, chemical analysis of debris, and coordination with law enforcement to trace devices and timelines.
Legal Developments: Charges and Prohibited Activities
Authorities charged a 50-year-old grandmother with two counts of second-degree murder, aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and manufacture and possession of a delayed-action incendiary. Prosecutors also included counts tied to insurance-related offenses described under prohibited activities and sanctions, alleging intent to injure, defraud, or deceive regarding coverage.
A co-defendant faces related charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Court filings and booking records show prosecutors pursuing both violent and financial motive angles, combining arson-specific statutes with homicide charges to reflect the fatal outcome and alleged planning behind the blaze.
Ongoing Investigation and Unanswered Questions
Investigators continue to interview witnesses, review call logs, and analyze forensics to clarify motive, timing, and any outside assistance. The status of a juvenile who was initially arrested remains unclear after a grand jury declined to indict, leaving open questions about others’ involvement and whether additional arrests will follow.
Local reporting, including coverage from the Shreveport Times, indicates authorities are still examining links between the suspected incendiary device and possible insurance or conspiracy motives. Residents continue to press for transparency as investigators balance releasing facts with protecting an active criminal probe.
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