Police say the shooting followed an argument on the 1600 block of West Concord Street; investigators are seeking witnesses.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A 19-year-old mother was shot and killed Sunday evening after a fistfight outside a home on the 1600 block of West Concord Street, San Bernardino police said. The young woman was struck in the back as she walked toward the house following the dispute, according to her family.
Family members identified the victim as Niliyah Montgomery, a San Bernardino resident and mother to a 3-year-old daughter. Officers said they were called to the neighborhood around 5 p.m. for reports of gunfire and found a crowd that had witnessed a fight moments earlier. The case is being investigated as a homicide. As detectives interview witnesses and collect video, the family is urging anyone who saw what happened to speak with investigators. No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday, and police did not release a suspect description.
Relatives said the confrontation started as an argument between friends and escalated into a brief fistfight in front of the home. In interviews at the scene, the victim’s mother, Tasha Montgomery, said her daughter turned to go back inside when gunfire erupted, striking her from behind. “My baby came running into my arms saying, ‘Mom,’” Montgomery said, describing blood coming from her daughter’s mouth. She said her daughter had recently returned to school after pausing classes while pregnant and was focused on building a stable life for her child. Officers cordoned off West Concord Street for hours Sunday night as detectives searched for shell casings and canvassed for cameras.
Police said several people were present when the shooting occurred and that detectives have collected multiple statements. The department did not release how many shots were fired or the caliber of the weapon used. Records of weekend incidents in the area list one fatal shooting on West Concord Street, consistent with the police account. Family members said the victim’s 3-year-old daughter, Junie, was not outside when the gunfire began. It remained unclear Tuesday what sparked the initial argument or whether those involved knew the shooter. Investigators have not said whether they recovered a firearm.
Neighbors told reporters the block, a residential stretch near West Rialto Avenue, sees occasional late-afternoon gatherings and traffic spilling from nearby side streets. While San Bernardino’s overall homicide total has fluctuated year to year, police have repeatedly asked residents to share doorbell video and cell phone recordings after major incidents. Detectives typically rely on witness accounts and neighborhood cameras to reconstruct fights that quickly turn violent. Sunday’s case fits a frequent pattern in which a personal dispute escalates to gunfire within minutes, leaving investigators to piece together what happened from overlapping accounts.
Police said the case remains open and active. Detectives are reviewing video collected from the block and tracking down people who were present during the fight. Officials did not announce a community vigil or departmental briefing but said updates would be released when there is an arrest or a major development. If charges are filed, the case would be forwarded to county prosecutors, who decide on counts such as murder or manslaughter depending on the evidence. As of Tuesday, no court filings related to the shooting were listed in public dockets, and authorities had not identified a suspect.
On West Concord Street Monday, relatives gathered near the home where the fight unfolded. A small memorial of candles and flowers grew by the curb as neighbors paused on evening walks to look at the police tape still tied to a fence. “She was everything to me,” Montgomery said, calling her firstborn daughter “the reason I became a mother.” Other family members said the young woman was playful with her toddler and had talked about finishing her program and finding steadier work this spring.
By late Tuesday afternoon, police still described the investigation as ongoing and asked witnesses to come forward. Detectives continued to seek video from the area showing the moments before and after the gunfire. Officials said a further update would be provided if a suspect is identified or an arrest is made.
Author note: Last updated February 3, 2026.