Mayor Joins Community Members Demanding Justice For Kristal Bayron Nieves, 19-Year-Old Killed At East Harlem Burger King
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are offering a $10,000 reward as the search continues for the suspect who shot and killed a 19-year-old Burger King worker during a robbery in East Harlem, even after the worker handed over money.
A memorial is growing outside the restaurant on 116th Street near Lexington Avenue, where cashier Kristal Bayron Nieves was gunned down early Sunday morning.
Her distraught family spoke out Tuesday for the first time since the tragedy, CBS2s Alice Gainer reported.
"Kristal didn't deserve this. She did not wake up thinking she wouldn't make it back home. This is hurting our family so much and we just want justice for her already," cousin Kiara Fuentes said.
Police released images of the robbery that happened just before 1 a.m. on Sunday. They said the suspect entered demanding money. Bayron Nieves was shot in the stomach and died. Two other people were assaulted, but are expected to be OK.
People stopped by the memorial all day Tuesday. Many didn't even know the victim, but said they felt compelled to pay their respects.
"I just feel bad about it," one person said.
"I'm a parent also, so any time you lose, whether it's a loved one or someone who could've just as easily been your daughter, it's very tragic," Larry Crockett said.
"Hopefully, our new mayor will get these guys to do their jobs, bring these guys to justice," another man said.
Speaking of the new mayor, late Tuesday afternoon Eric Adams joined the group Stand Against Violence East Harlem and Bayron Nieves' family outside the Burger King, which remains closed.
"The person who did this must be caught, and those who carry guns in my city, we will find you," Adams said. "You have an opportunity to go and get the services and be part of the organizations and groups and get your life together. You have an opportunity to not bring violence. But you will not use your condition as an excuse to take the life of a 19-year-old."
"We will no longer tolerate any acts of violence in our community. We are working diligently to reduce all shootings throughout our city," said Omar Jackson of Stand Against Violence East Harlem.
New NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell appeared with Adams on Tuesday.
So far, there have been no arrests in the case. The NYPD is offering a $3,500 reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment, along with a $6,500 reward upon conviction.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
Editor's note: This story first appeared on Jan. 11