Almost a year later, arrests made in death of 9-year-old Alexandrea 'Sissy' Thompson

Nearly a year after the fatal shooting that confounded and dismayed so many, two arrests have been made in the death of 9-year-old Alexandrea Thompson.

Cincinnati police announced Wednesday night Azuriah Hoskins Jr., 18, of College Hill and Ke'von Smith, 19, were arrested and charged with murder in the Jan. 18, 2017 death of Thompson. Thompson's father, 39-year-old Alex Thompson, was also shot that night, but survived.

Alexandrea was struck in the chest by a bullet that may have gone through her father's body, her aunt said at the time. Her father was struck in the hand, arm and abdomen, according to Alexandrea's aunt Andrea Thompson.

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In the arrest report for Hoskins, police said he entered the Mount Auburn home in the 2200 block of Burnet Avenue by force on Jan. 18 to rob it with four others.

Witnesses said at the time the men were seen leaving in a white two-door car.

Alexandrea was rushed from the scene the night to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. There she was pronounced dead.

The Wednesday arrests follow nearly a year of speculation as to what led to the home invasion resulting in the death of a child described by a neighbor as "full of light."

She was a bright leader of her fourth-grade class at Mount Auburn International Academy, school administrators said.

Alexandrea, who was known as "Sissy," was the kid who immediately welcomed the school's interim director Claudia Ehrle when Ehrle came to the school this past November, she told The Enquirer.

"You know when you start in a new place and some people just stand out? She was one of those," Ehrle said. "My lasting memory of her will be that hug and that smile. She made me feel welcome."

No motive for the shooting was provided Wednesday, but police said the investigation is ongoing.

Police said Hoskins' charges were filed in juvenile court and will transfer to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court upon indictment so he can be charged as an adult.

Hoskins has no prior convictions in Hamilton County as an adult but has open cases against him in the courts. He was arrested on Dec. 20, 2017, and charged with possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia. Police said he had 40 grams of marijuana and a digital scale.

He was arrested again on Jan. 4 and charged with failure to comply. In that case, officers said he refused to pull over for an officer.

Smith has no previous convictions as an adult in Hamilton County.