Elisha Judd, 16, was fatally shot on May 9, 2023, in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. Police found her on the 700 block of West Rich Street around 12:45 p.m.; she was pronounced dead at the scene. Elisha was a young mother, leaving behind a 10-month-old daughter, Skyla’ Arya, and her family remembers her as vibrant and deeply excited about motherhood.

Authorities charged 20-year-old Tejuan Stanley in connection with the shooting. Court documents say Stanley admitted he accidentally loaded a round into the gun’s chamber while disassembling and reassembling it and was charged with reckless homicide, a third-degree felony. He had been out on bond for an unrelated aggravated burglary case and was prohibited from possessing firearms; his record included prior charges of domestic violence, robbery, and assault. Stanley later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced in December 2023.

Anyone who knew Elisha, her daughter Skyla’ Arya, or who has information about the case is asked to come forward.