SHREVEPORT, LA – After months of investigation into a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of two young sisters, authorities in Shreveport arrested a local grandmother and another adult on a range of serious charges this week.

Rita Ann Montgomery, 50, was detained by police in connection to the October 2025 blaze that killed her two granddaughters, 8-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and 5-year-old Danielle Spearman. Montgomery faces two counts of second-degree murder, among other charges, including aggravated arson, criminal conspiracy, and the manufacturing and possession of a delayed-action incendiary device, according to officials.

The fire broke out in the early hours of Oct. 13, 2025, at a residence located on the 3100 block of Milton Street in Shreveport. Police say there were eight people inside the home at the time, including five children and three adults. The two sisters, who lived at the residence with their grandmother, were unable to escape the flames.

A second individual, 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey, was also arrested in connection with the deadly incident. Cooksey, who lived in the same household, faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and engaging in prohibited activities. Authorities have not specified Cooksey’s exact role in the events surrounding the fire.

Investigators revealed that the fire appeared to have started in two separate locations within the house and at two different times. The first fire began in the back of the home at around midnight, followed by a second fire at the front of the house approximately an hour and forty-five minutes later. Officials believe the device used was a Molotov cocktail, a homemade incendiary device designed to quickly ignite flammable materials.

The fire’s cause and nature triggered a lengthy and intricate investigation, led by city arson investigators and assisted by the Shreveport Police Department. Authorities said the complexity of the case stemmed from the use of an incendiary device and the number of residents present in the home at the time.

Chief Clarence Reese Jr. addressed the public on Tuesday, emphasizing the careful and deliberate nature of the investigative process leading to these arrests. He noted that the investigation has been emotionally challenging for the officers involved, as well as for the community and family members of the victims. Reese also indicated that the exact motivation behind the alleged act remains unknown.

In the wake of the incident last October, a 15-year-old boy was initially arrested on suspicion of murder. However, a Caddo Parish grand jury later declined to indict the teen, citing insufficient evidence.

Authorities in Shreveport stated that the investigation is ongoing and that further legal action is expected. Additional warrants have been issued for Sherika Spearman and Bobby Grant, both relatives of the deceased children, alleging their involvement in contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Officials have not yet announced court dates for Montgomery, Cooksey, or the other individuals facing charges. The community continues to mourn the loss of Aaliyah and Danielle as the case moves forward through the justice system.