Two Adults Charged in 2025 Louisiana House Fire that Killed 8-Year-Old and 5-Year-Old

Rita Montgomery and Alonza Cooksey face multiple charges related to the deadly blaze in Shreveport

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:15am

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Two adults, Rita Montgomery and Alonza Cooksey, have been arrested and charged in connection with a 2025 house fire in Shreveport, Louisiana that killed an 8-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl. Montgomery faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated arson, while Cooksey has been charged with prohibited activities and sanctions and contributing to the delinquency of minors. The arrests come after an extensive investigation into the deadly incident.

Why it matters

The tragic house fire that claimed the lives of two young children in Shreveport has shaken the local community. The arrests of Montgomery and Cooksey provide some measure of accountability, though the investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the deadly blaze.

The details

According to authorities, the Shreveport Fire Department responded to two separate fires at the home on Milton Street in October 2025 - one at the rear of the residence just before midnight on October 12, and a second one at the front around 1:45 AM the next morning. The fires resulted in the deaths of 8-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and 5-year-old Danielle Spearman. A 15-year-old was initially arrested in connection with the incident, but a grand jury declined to indict the teen in November 2025 due to a lack of evidence. Investigators relied on video surveillance from a neighbor's home, though the footage did not show who started the initial or fatal fires.

  • The first fire occurred just before midnight on October 12, 2025.
  • The second, fatal fire occurred around 1:45 AM on October 13, 2025.

The players

Rita Montgomery

A 50-year-old woman who has been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated arson in connection with the deadly house fire.

Alonza Cooksey

A 45-year-old man who has been charged with prohibited activities and sanctions and contributing to the delinquency of minors in connection with the incident.

Aaliyah Robinson

An 8-year-old girl who was killed in the house fire.

Danielle Spearman

A 5-year-old girl who was killed in the house fire.

Clarence Reese, Jr.

The Shreveport Fire Chief, who stated that the investigation has been 'incredibly complex and emotionally difficult' but that authorities remain committed to seeking justice for the two young victims.

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What they’re saying

“This has been an incredibly complex and emotionally difficult investigation. Our arson investigators have remained committed from day one to uncovering the truth and seeking justice for Aaliyah and Danielle. While nothing can undo this tragic loss, we hope these arrests provide some measure of accountability and reassurance to our community.”

— Clarence Reese, Jr., Shreveport Fire Chief

What’s next

The investigation into the deadly house fire remains active and ongoing, as authorities continue to work to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The takeaway

The tragic deaths of the two young children in the Shreveport house fire have shaken the local community, and the arrests of Montgomery and Cooksey provide some measure of accountability, though many questions remain unanswered. The investigation highlights the complex and emotionally difficult nature of such cases, as authorities work to seek justice for the victims.