Crittenden County Woman Sentenced to 126 Years for Shooting Death of 8-Year-Old Girl

A woman from Crittenden County has been found guilty and given a sentence for the shooting death of an eight-year-old girl in Marion, which occurred in 2022.

Shanteria Nicole Montgomery, 25, was found guilty of first-degree murder, terroristic act, and tampering with physical evidence in a Crittenden County Circuit Court trial that lasted less than 90 minutes.

This conviction is related to April 10, 2022, shooting death of 8-year-old Ja’Mayiah Hall, as reported by Action News 5 on January 14, 2023.

On April 10, 2022, Montgomery was sentenced to 126 years in prison by Circuit Judge Randy Philhours, following a jury’s recommendation, for firing a weapon at a car occupied by children in Marion, Arkansas.

The bullet hit the car, ricocheted off the side, and struck one child, Ja’Mayiah, in the head, ultimately causing her death. According to police, the incident occurred while several children were playing with toy guns and escalated into real gunfire by Montgomery.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s office expresses gratitude to the Marion Police Department, the West Memphis Police Department, and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation in ensuring the safety of the courthouse and all those present during the trial.

Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Fonticiella stated that they played a significant role in securing a conviction, and the jury sent a clear message that citizens are demanding safe neighborhoods for their children and that they are tired of the violence.

She also hoped that the conviction of the perpetrator will bring some peace to the family of the innocent victim.