Lauralye Sterling was 14 when she was found shot to death in her Lima, Ohio, home on February 13, 2024. A freshman at Lima Senior High School, she was remembered for enjoying drawing, social media, and playing basketball with friends.

Authorities arrested 18-year-old Malik Dennis in connection with the shooting. Investigators say Dennis had been robbed by two juveniles inside the Greenlawn Avenue residence shortly before the incident; he then allegedly climbed an exterior television antenna, fired a shot through a window, and struck Lauralye in the chest. Dennis reportedly confessed to the shooting and wrote an apology expressing remorse. He was indicted on counts including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, and tampering with evidence.

A 17-year-old, Cardarius Burns, was charged with complicity and related felony counts tied to the robbery that preceded the shooting; his case was initially handled in juvenile detention. The community mourned Lauralye’s loss and the impact of the violence.

If anyone knew Lauralye or has information about what happened on Greenlawn Avenue that night, please come forward to investigators.