ALTON - Following a July 4, 2025, shooting that left a 17-year-old dead , community members gathered at the Alton Housing Authority for a protest. On July 7, 2025, protest organizers called for increased policing and a gate around Alton Housing Authority properties. The shooting on July 4, 2025, claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl whose name has not been released, though those at the protest described her as “a shining star.” “We lost a shining star, a beautiful young lady, well-mannered, focused, and it's a shame,” said Donald Mason El. Mason El is the founder of the 100 Man Movement Crime Prevention Initiative and the F.L.Y. Mentorship Program. The 17-year-old victim was a mentee, and he said she acted as “a big sister” to many of the other young girls in the program. Lee Barham, who organized the July 7 protest, stressed the importance of accountability. He emphasized that elected and appointed officials must be held accountable,
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