With profound sorrow and broken hearts, we remember Niliyah Montgomery, a beautiful young woman whose life was tragically taken far too soon on February 1, 2026, in San Bernardino, California. She was only 19 years old, with so much life ahead of her, so many dreams still unfolding, and a love that reached far beyond her years.
On Sunday evening around 5:03 p.m., San Bernardino Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1600 block of West Concord Street. What followed was a devastating loss that has shaken a family and a community to its core. Niliyah was shot in the back outside her residence after an argument that escalated into a physical altercation. Several people were reportedly in the area at the time. Though she was rushed by ambulance in hopes of saving her life, Niliyah later succumbed to her injuries. The incident is being investigated as a homicide.
Beyond the tragic circumstances of her passing, Niliyah Montgomery was so much more than the details of that night.
Niliyah was a mother—a title that defined her heart and her purpose. She leaves behind her 3-year-old daughter, a child who was her pride, her joy, and the center of her world. Everything Niliyah did, every plan she made, was rooted in love for her baby. She was a young woman learning, growing, and striving—doing her best to navigate life while pouring unconditional love into her child.
Those who knew Niliyah describe her as vibrant, strong, and full of emotion—someone who felt deeply and loved fiercely. She had a presence that was impossible to ignore and a spirit that reflected both resilience and tenderness. Despite her young age, she carried responsibilities many never face so early in life, and she met them with courage and determination.
Her passing has left an unimaginable void. A daughter has lost her mother. A family has lost a beloved child, relative, and source of light. Friends have lost someone whose laughter, voice, and energy can never be replaced. The pain of this loss stretches far beyond words.
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact the San Bernardino Police Department. In seeking answers, the hope is not only for justice, but for peace—peace for a grieving family and a future where such loss becomes less common.
Today, we pause to honor Niliyah Montgomery—to speak her name, to remember her life, and to acknowledge the love she leaves behind. Though her life was cut short, her impact will endure through her daughter, through memories shared, and through the hearts of those who loved her.
May Niliyah be remembered not for how she died, but for how she lived: as a young mother, a daughter, a friend, and a soul who mattered deeply.
May she rest in eternal peace, and may her family find strength, comfort, and support during this unimaginably painful time.