Alishah Pointer, 22, of Cleveland, died of gunshot wounds on November 5, 2021; the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide. Her body was found in a burned-out house in East Cleveland after she had been kidnapped, tortured, and shot. Investigators say the attackers believed she had information about a deadly shooting in Cleveland that had occurred a few days earlier and were trying to extract that information.

Authorities implicated eight people in Pointer’s death. Four have been charged with murder: Portria Williams, Destiny Henderson, Nathaniel Poke, and Hakeem-Ali Shomo. Anthony Bryant and Brittany Smith face other charges related to the kidnapping and murder. Two suspects, including Hakeem-Ali Shomo and Anthony Bryant, were reported as at large. A mistrial was declared for three defendants in March 2023; some defendants later pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for testimony as the remaining trial proceedings prepare to resume.

Pointer’s twin sister Aalyiah has publicly expressed anger and grief, and the community has held vigils calling for justice. If anyone has information about Alishah Pointer’s abduction, torture, or the whereabouts of the remaining suspects, please come forward.