Executive Summary
- Rita Montgomery, 50, and Alonza Cooksey, 45, were arrested in connection with a fatal October 2025 fire.
- The blaze in Shreveport’s Queensborough neighborhood killed Danielle Spearman, 5, and Aaliyah Robinson, 8.
- Montgomery faces charges of second-degree murder, aggravated arson, and possession of incendiary devices.
- A grand jury previously declined to indict a teenager initially arrested in connection with the fire.
Two adults have been taken into custody by investigators from the Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) in connection with an October 2025 house fire in the Queensborough neighborhood that resulted in the deaths of two young children. The arrests follow a months-long investigation into the blaze, which officials have determined was intentionally set.
According to the Shreveport Fire Department, investigators have identified the suspects as 50-year-old Rita Montgomery and 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey. The fire, which occurred on October 13 in the 3100 block of Milton Street, claimed the lives of 5-year-old Danielle Spearman and 8-year-old Aaliyah Robinson. Authorities noted that more than 10 people were occupying the residence at the time of the incident.
Official reports state that Montgomery faces a litany of serious charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, aggravated arson, and the manufacture and possession of delayed-action incendiary devices. She is also charged with prohibited activities and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Cooksey has been charged with prohibited activities and sanctions, as well as contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese described the case as “an incredibly complex and emotionally difficult investigation” in a news release. SFD investigators determined early in the inquiry that the fire was arson, noting it was ignited at both the front and back of the residence. Chief Reese emphasized the department’s commitment to seeking justice for the victims, stating that investigators hope the arrests provide accountability for the community.
Prior to these arrests, a teenage boy had been detained on suspicion of starting the fire 11 days after the incident. However, a Caddo Parish grand jury declined to indict the juvenile in mid-November, redirecting the focus of the investigation. Surveillance footage from the scene reportedly showed an unidentified individual approaching the rear of the home, though no video evidence was available for the front of the property.
Investigative Outlook
The arrest of two adults marks a significant pivot in this homicide investigation, moving away from the initial suspicion cast upon a juvenile. The specific charges against Montgomery, particularly regarding “delayed-action incendiary devices,” suggest that authorities believe the arson was not impulsive but involved a degree of technical premeditation. As the case proceeds to the judicial system, the prosecution will likely rely heavily on forensic evidence linking the suspects to the incendiary mechanism used. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
