ALTON, Ill. — From the beginning, you could feel the pain and the outrage so many in Alton are feeling after hearing what happened to 13-year-old Ra'Niya Steward.
"This senseless act of violence has brought us all together to unify us," Alton Mayor David Goins said.
"And it's time for mothers to stand up and fight for our children," one concerned mom said.
Police said on Saturday afternoon, Ra'Niya was standing on the front porch of a family member's home near Highland Avenue and Silver Street when she was shot in head.
"Every day, I've been thinking about my baby, my daughter laying in the hospital bed with wounds and unresponsive," said Rodney Steward, the girl's father.
Steward's innocent daughter has been in critical condition ever since.
"I'm so hurt. I don't know if I should turn this into anger. I really can't let it go," Steward said.
Ra'Niya is the oldest of two and a seventh grader at Mark Twain Elementary School.
Thursday night, more than 200 people returned to the shooting scene to share fond memories of the sweet girl they all love.
"Hopefully, she makes it," 12-year-old Guhner Morgan said.
He called Ra'Niya "a great friend."
"She's nice, kind and she can be funny," Morgan said.
Ra'Niya's two teachers praised their caring student who is a big TikTok fan.
"She's a wonderful student. It's just a joy to see her in that light, and that's how we're gonna keep it, a positive thing," one of the teen's teachers said.
In addition to praying for Ra'Niya's recovery, speaker after speaker also pleaded for peace in the community and an end to the gun violence. There were also plenty of hugs and flowers for Ra'Niya's sobbing grandmother as the caring crowd held their cellphones high for the girl they're holding in their hearts.
"I want to tell parents to always cherish your children. She's gonna fight. We're not going to give up on her," said Ra'Niya's dad.
On Thursday, Madison County prosecutors charged two 19-year-olds with attempted first-degree murder. Alvin Perry III and Raysean Colvin are accused of firing a gun in the direction of the girl.
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