Youngstown police seek public’s help in solving Saturday night shooting that killed 15-year-old teen girl
After the tragic Saturday night shooting death at a birthday party at a bar in the south side of Youngstown of a 15-year-old girl, the community who knew her is taking time to mourn.
According to WFMJ, the Mahoning Coroner’s Office released the identity of the girl as Amya Monserrant, who attended Valley Christian Schools.
While the school mourns, Capt. Jason Simon said during a Monday press conference that the department continues to review hundreds of hours of surveillance tape from the location.
He added that many parents of students at the bar for the party weren’t aware that their underage children were there.
Simon said he is looking for witnesses to help the police in the matter.
Detectives said at least two parties fired guns inside the bar and they are looking into suspects, but no other information could be released.
They described Monserrant, a freshman cheerleader at Valley Christian High School, as “a leader among her cheer squad” and said “if the community wants to remember her as a leader, the community needs to step up and lead and speak to investigators about what happened and help us do our job.”
School is closed today and classes are canceled for students at Valley Christian High School.
John Pecchia, who serves as the high school dean of students, confirmed the school is closed Monday, and classes will also be dismissed early on Tuesday for the elementary and high schools.
When students are back on Tuesday, grief counselors will be available.
Police investigating, no arrests
According to police, she was killed in a shooting Saturday night on the city’s south side at Martha’s Boulevard Tavern, 3503 Southern Blvd., after a reported fight.
Police responded to a “chaotic scene with about 30 people” outside on the corner of Southern Boulevard and Ravenwood Avenue around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Reports said that after an ambulance transported the victim to Mercy Health, she was pronounced deceased.
No one has been arrested at this point in the investigation. Youngstown police officers said the chief and the mayor intend to hold a press conference on the incident soon, and will not be releasing any more information until then.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2023 at 12:44 PM.