Remembering the Resilience of a 'Small but Mighty' Dancer: 14-Year-Old Girl Killed in Apartment Shooting

Deandra J. Clay-Staples, a 14-year-old girl and member of the G3 Steppers dance team, was tragically killed over the weekend in an apartment complex shooting.

“Deandra was small but mighty. She’s definitely a big bundle of joy in a small body. You didn’t always see her but you heard her.”

Maranda Sanders, director of G3 Steppers and Deandra's mentor, described the young dancer as courageous and fierce during competitions. She taught Deandra to "never be afraid no matter your size. No matter what, never be afraid to be in front to push forward and stand out."

Sanders said she was sad and angry about Deandra's death, stating, “Very much so angry because our kids are supposed to grow up, you know. We’re not supposed to be burying our children.”

The family will host two balloon releases in memory of Deandra: one at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Laurelwood Apartments where she was killed and another at 1 p.m. Saturday at the G3 Steppers practice location.

Sanders had a message for the shooter, saying, “You will never be at peace. That uneasiness that you feel at night when you’re by yourself, that’s God convincing you that you need to turn yourself in.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Detective Douglas Swails at (317)327-3475 or email him at [email protected].