Final Defendant Sentenced in Ra’niya Steward Murder Case
The last defendant in Ra’niya Steward’s homicide case has been sentenced, following proceedings that outlined different roles in the February 2024 shooting.
EDWARDSVILLE — Dakota Perry, who was 16 when 13-year-old Ra’niya Steward was shot outside her Alton home on Feb. 3, 2024, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for his role in her murder.
Perry, described as one of the shooters, was the last of five suspects to be sentenced in the homicide. He will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years.
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Ra’niya was standing on her porch when she was shot. She died 10 days later at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
“Today obviously marks an important moment in this case. All five people charged with the murder of Ra’Niya Steward have now been convicted and are serving long prison sentences,” Haine said. “That does not make this tragedy right, but it does represent accountability.” He added: “This was an extraordinarily tragic case, and today we have reached its final chapter in the courtroom. Nothing we do in the criminal justice system can bring Ra’Niya back or erase the pain her family has endured. But we can hold those responsible accountable, and that is what we have done.”
The other four defendants received prison sentences ranging from 23 to 50 years.
Alvin Perry III, 21, of Alton, pleaded guilty in January to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. According to testimony and evidence, he was a driver.
Raysean M. Colvin, 21, of Alton, pleaded guilty in July to first-degree murder and received a 35-year prison sentence. According to testimony and evidence, he provided the guns used in the shooting.
Keith A. Sanders, 26, of Alton, was found guilty following a January trial of first-degree murder and two counts of contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison. According to testimony and evidence, Sanders was the “shot-caller” who provided information and encouraged others to act.
Vito C. Crowder, 18, pleaded guilty in January to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
“I want to commend the Alton Police Department, the investigators, and the prosecutors who worked on this case from the beginning,” Haine said. “This was a complicated prosecution involving five defendants who had different roles and different levels of culpability, but our office remained committed to seeing it through. Most importantly, we never lost sight of the fact that at the center of this case was a 13-year-old girl whose life was taken far too soon.” He added: “Today, our focus should be on Ra’Niya Steward and her family. She was a loving daughter, a family member, a bright student and a young girl with a future ahead of her. I hope Ra’Niya’s family can take some measure of comfort in knowing that the people responsible have been held accountable in a court of law.”
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