CLEVELAND — Six people have been arrested so far in the investigation surrounding the murder of 22-year-old Alishah Pointer. Hakeem Ali Shomo, who police say may be the leader of the group, remains on the loose. East Cleveland police say soon there will be an intensive manhunt for the 18-year-old and with the help of the FBI, US Marshal's service, and Cleveland Police, officials believe there will be nowhere for Ali Shomo to hide.
Meanwhile, four of the six suspects arrested walked into court on Monday as Britttany Smith, Portria Williams, Anthony Bryant and Nathaniel Poke Jr. all pleaded not guilty to the felony charges facing them, including murder. Judge William L. Dawson issued each a bond of $2 million. Their cases were also transferred to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Two other suspects in the case are in police custody. Indya Pauldo is awaiting her hearing, while 17-year-old Destiny Henderson's case is currently in juvenile court.
Police officials believe several members of the group, if not all, took part in kidnapping Pointer earlier this month. Investigators think assailants struck after suspecting that Pointer had information relating to a homicide that took place in Cleveland on Nov. 2, possibly the shooting death of Aminjas Zion Shomo, a relative of Hakeem Ali Shomo.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner says Pointer died from multiple gunshot wounds. Her family is inconsolable and is now under a gag order, but not before cousin Shella Smith said, “She didn't deserve that. She didn’t deserve that at all and I hope every last one of y’all rot in hell.”
Pointer's body was found inside a burned-out home on Savannah Avenue in East Cleveland last week after police received a tip that a body was in the basement of the house.
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