HAWTHORNE : Second Victim Dies From Firebombing

A second victim has died from burn-related complications stemming from a Hawthorne apartment firebombing.

Shartesia Williams, a 5 1/2-week-old girl, died Monday night at a Los Angeles-area hospital. The infant was 2 days old on Jan. 29 when two Molotov cocktails were tossed into the apartment occupied by her mother, Valerie Rivers, 20, and brother, Robert Davis, 2.

All three were severely burned, and the boy died days later. The mother remains at the hospital, which was not identified because of safety concerns.

Two suspects face charges of murder, attempted murder and arson in connection with the case. Dewayne Moore, 23, and a 17-year-old Compton youth remain in jail, Hawthorne police said.

Hawthorne firefighters have established a fund for the victims, and some of the $3,200 collected to date will help pay for Shartesia’s burial, said Craig Bradford, who carried the baby from the burning apartment.

Contributions may be mailed to the Hawthorne Firefighters Relief Fund, Attention: Burn Victims, 4475 El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250.