On the night of June 26, 2016, 15-year-old Ayana Culbreath was attending a backyard bonfire in the 4200 block of Warren Street in Davenport, Iowa, when gunfire erupted shortly after midnight. Ayana was struck, taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival. She was a high school sophomore who had hoped to graduate early and was remembered for her bright eyes and smile.

Investigators arrested 17-year-old Trevor Owens and 14-year-old Kamario Hill within ten days and charged both as adults with first-degree murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. Affidavits alleged both fired handguns toward the crowd. Prosecutors say witness reluctance and changing testimony, plus reported intimidation, made it impossible to prove who fired the fatal shot.

Those evidentiary problems led to plea agreements. In December 2017 Trevor Owens pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges and received a sentence of up to 20 years. Kamario Hill pleaded guilty to attempted murder as a juvenile and was to remain under court supervision until he turned 18, when a judge would decide on any further placement; his courtroom demeanor was reported as disruptive. Ayana’s family expressed deep grief and frustration that fear and lack of cooperation impeded what they viewed as justice.

Did anyone at the 2016 gathering ever come forward with new information about the shooting?