Nearly one year after a 12-year-old girl was shot and killed in Binghamton, police have yet to identify a suspect.

Aliza Spencer was hit by a bullet and later died while walking home with her family last April.

“She was a smart, intelligent, beautiful young girl,” said Fred Spencer, Eliza’s father.

A makeshift memorial still stands, nearly one year after a she was shot and killed in the city.


What You Need To Know

  • Aliza Spencer was hit by a bullet and later died while walking home with her family last April

  • Despite following over 150 leads, police have yet to identify who fired the gun, or where the bullet came from

  • Neighborhood camera footage shows there were no cars on the road when Eliza was struck, ruling out the possibility of a drive-by-shooting

To this day, Aliza Spencer's murder remains a mystery. Despite following over 150 leads, police have yet to identify who fired the gun, or where the bullet came from.

"We know there are people out there who know what happened to Eliza Spencer. It's time for those people to step forward and share what they know with police. This is not a cold case. This remains an active investigation,” said Captain Cory Miner of the Binghamton Police Detectives Division.

Neighborhood camera footage shows there were no cars on the road when Eliza was struck. Detectives are hoping new 3D scanning technology could provide them with a better understanding of how the tragedy occurred.

In the meantime, her family continues to deal with the heartbreak.

"She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve this. Just walking home out front of our house,” said Fred Spencer.

Purple ribbons adorn every telephone pole in her neighborhood. Billboards broadcast a $32,000 reward with the goal of giving her family some sort of closure.

"You should understand how we feel not knowing who or why it happened to Eliza. And it's got to end. We're going through hell. We just need some help,” Fred Spencer said.

The street lines in front of her elementary school will soon be painted purple in her honor. City buses will also have signage.

If you have any tips or info regarding this case, you’re asked to contact Binghamton police at (607) 772-7080.