Makiya Alexandria Hawkins was 17 when she was killed in Taylors, South Carolina, on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2017. A Wade Hampton High School senior weeks from graduation, she was at a house party that moved to the Pavilion Recreation Center after deputies dispersed the earlier gathering. Shortly after midnight, gunfire broke out behind the Pavilion and Makiya, described in reports as an innocent bystander, was struck. She was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital and died later that day.

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting was part of gang-related crossfire. Investigators faced difficulty identifying the shooter because a crowd of more than 100 people at the scene was largely unwilling to come forward. Authorities arrested 18-year-old Ricky Murphy Jr. on weapons and breach of peace charges; officials have said Murphy fired a weapon that night but is not the person believed to have fired the fatal shot. A reward remains available for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

If anyone who was at the Pavilion that night or who knows more about the events after the party can help, please come forward with information.