- Niliyah Montgomery, a 19-year-old single mother, was fatally shot on February 1, 2026, after a physical altercation outside her home.
- The suspect, 20-year-old Elvia Johnson, is considered armed and dangerous, with a warrant issued for her arrest.
- Montgomery's 3-year-old daughter, Junie, is left without her mother as the investigation into the shooting continues.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Niliyah Montgomery, a 19-year-old single mother, was fatally shot on Feb. 1, 2026, following a physical altercation outside her home.
The San Bernardino Police Department has identified the suspect as 20-year-old Elvia Johnson and issued a warrant for her arrest. Authorities consider Johnson to be armed and dangerous. The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. in the 1600 block of W. Concord Street, just weeks after the fatal LAPD shooting that occurred at the nearby California Science Center.
Details of the Incident
According to investigators and witness accounts, Montgomery was involved in a physical fight with a group of people outside her residence. After the confrontation appeared to conclude, Montgomery began walking back toward her house.
Detectives allege that Johnson then entered a vehicle and fired a single gunshot that struck Montgomery in the back. Montgomery’s mother, Tasha Montgomery, reported that her daughter ran into her arms immediately following the shot before being transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Victim Background and Family Response
Montgomery was the mother of a 3-year-old daughter. Her family noted that she had recently returned to school to pursue her education after previously dropping out during her pregnancy.
Tasha Montgomery spoke publicly regarding the incident, emphasizing the impact on the victim's young child and calling for accountability for those involved. She described the act as a senseless escalation of a verbal dispute and a fistfight.
Ongoing Investigation
San Bernardino police are actively searching for Johnson and have requested the public's assistance in locating her. Because multiple individuals were present at the scene during the initial fight and the subsequent shooting, detectives are urging witnesses with additional information or video footage to contact the department’s Homicide Unit.
The case remains an active investigation as authorities work to determine the specific circumstances that led to the altercation.
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