Family Holds Vigil For 3-Year-Old Girl Killed During Drive-By Shooting
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The search continues for a three-year-old's killer. Caught in the middle of a drive-by shooting, McKenzie Elliott was shot and killed while playing on the porch of her next door neighbor's home.
Rick Ritter explains family and friends gathered to hold a candlelight vigil.
Three-year-old McKenzie was gunned down in the Waverly neighborhood just days ago. Family and friends have been demanding answers. Now police are guaranteeing an arrest by the end of the week.
Outraged and disgusted—heartache McKenzie Elliott's family says they will never be able to shake.
"You can only imagine what I've been going through—nonstop," said Nina Epps, victim's mother. "I can't get over this. This is not going to go anywhere."
The three-year-old little girl was gunned down last Friday while playing on her neighbor's porch. It's a senseless murder that's rattled the entire city.
"Evil has visited our community and taken the life of an innocent child," said Peter McIver, resident.
Police say a vehicle pulled up at the intersection and exchanged gunfire with someone standing on the corner. One of those bullets went flying up the street, striking three-year-old McKenzie.
Police say they have a person of interest in custody. Now they're promising an arrest in the days ahead.
"The person responsible, we will bring them to justice before the end of the week," said Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.
At "National Night Out" Tuesday, the support was overwhelming.
"Of all the many names tattooed in my brain over the years, this baby, I will never forget," said Batts.
"May God bless the life of McKenzie Elliott," said Governor Martin O'Malley.
Both state and city leaders are demanding an end to the violence.
"It's time for your voice to be heard," a community activist said. "It's time for people to stop acting like I'm afraid."
As family and friends remember a beautiful, vibrant little girl who just turned three-years-old, they wait anxiously for closure.
"I know for sure somebody saw something. Somebody's going to speak up," McKenzie's father said.
A 21-year-old female was also injured in the drive-by shooting, suffering non-life threatening injuries.
Family members tell WJZ McKenzie's viewing will be held Thursday at the Chatman-Harris Funeral Home on Belair Road.
Her funeral will be Friday morning at the Israel Baptist Church on Preston Street.
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