A Michigan State University student was recently shot and killed by her boyfriend after an alleged domestic dispute.
The deceased girl was identified as 19-year-old Lyniah Bell of Chicago.
The teenager was back home in Chicago visiting family and friends during her winter break.
According to Chicago Police, 18-year-old Lafayette Hodges has been charged with a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Lyniah Bell.
ABC 7 Chicago Reports:
CHICAGO (WLS) — A man charged in the shooting death of 19-year-old Michigan State University student Lyniah Bell will be in court Monday after Chicago police said he turned himself in over the weekend.
Lafayette Hodges, 18, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, Chicago police said.
Bell was fatally shot inside an apartment in the 8100-block of South Maryland Avenue in Chatham Friday night. Bell’s family said she was home for winter break.
Police told ABC7 Hodges didn’t intentionally fire his weapon. He is scheduled to appear in bond court Monday.
Bell’s mother, Evelyn Hightower, alleges that her daughter was shot in the head by her boyfriend.
Bell’s family said her teenage boyfriend beat her up and then pulled out a gun. A neighbor called 911 after they heard the gun shot.
“It is a shock to me that it was Lyniah and that he killed my baby probably over nothing,” said Hightower.
Bell was on a full-ride academic scholarship at Michigan State, studying journalism.
She was also a graduate of North Lawndale College Prep.
In a letter to parents, the school’s president and CEO, Dr. Garland Thomas-McDavid, said counseling resources will be available at the school on Monday and Tuesday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
While in high school, Bell was a National Honor Society inductee and belonged to the Theater Club and Hoops High. She was also a Peace Warrior and a CAPS student instructor.
“We just can’t say enough good about the positive impact she had on the school community,” the letter read. “She will be missed dearly, and our hearts grieve alongside her mother and family.”
Let us please keep Lyniah’s family in our prayers as they go through this difficult time. Let us hope that she will get the justice that she deserves.
