A Year Later: Binghamton Residents Seek "Justice for Aliza"

One year after a sixth-grade Binghamton girl was fatally shot near her home, her killer remains on the loose.

Police said 12-year-old Aliza Spencer was shot in the chest on the evening of April 21, 2022 as she walked on Bigelow Street with her father and 13-year-old brother. She died a short time later at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City.

LISTEN: An edited recording of emergency services transmissions after Aliza Spencer was shot in Binghamton on April 21, 2022. No Binghamton police dispatch or patrol messages are included. The recording includes selected messages from publicly-available transmissions. The elapsed time in the recording has been shortened due to editing. This recording may not be appropriate for all because of the nature of the messages. Audio provided by Broadcastify.

Bigelow Street was closed after Aliza Spencer was fatally shot on April 21, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

City detectives have released little information about the mysterious East Side shooting over the past twelve months.

Detective Captain Cory Minor told WNBF News Thursday afternoon "it remains an active investigation." He said the case "remains a priority for the police department." He said "we continue to work it" and follow up on any new information.

No suspects have been publicly identified and police refuse to discuss any theories investigators have regarding the deadly shooting.

One of several messages posted at an Aliza Spencer memorial on Bigelow Street on April 20, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Residents of Bigelow Street said detectives returned to the neighborhood this week, knocking on doors and interviewing people, asking whether anyone recalled potentially relevant details of what happened a year ago.

People who live near the scene of the shooting say there's not much talk about the investigation these days. But, they say, no one has forgotten Aliza and everyone is hoping for a break in the case.

Purple lights can be seen at some Binghamton homes honoring the memory of Aliza Spencer. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Purple was Aliza's favorite color... and dozens of purple ribbons continue to line Bigelow and other nearby streets, along with signs calling for "Justice for Aliza." A reward fund in the case has grown to $32,000.

Detective Captain Minor said: "We believe someone has information" about what happened on that Thursday night in the spring of 2022. He's urging them to come forward and tell investigators what they know.

People may contact the Binghamton police detective division at (607) 772-7080.

VIDEO: The Aliza Spencer memorial on Bigelow Street on April 21, 2023.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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