Funeral To Be Held Friday For 12-Year-Old Hempstead Girl Killed By Stray Bullet
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Family, friends and the community are getting ready to say goodbye to a 12-year-old girl killed by a stray bullet inside her own home.
The wake and funeral for Dejah Joyner will be held Friday at the Union Baptist Church in Hempstead.
Hempstead Village Mayor Wayne Hall said the community is in mourning.
"I hope her death is not in vain," Hall told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "We all agree that something has to be done."
Young Dejah was shot in the head by a stray bullet while she was sitting in her living room Friday evening. Police said Dejah was not the intended target and that the shot likely happened during a gang-related argument or drive-by shooting.
"We as a community have to stand up, and we as a community can't let the bad guys hold us hostage," Hall said.
The community is planning to name a street after Dejah.
"It's a tragedy," Hall said. "We don't know what the future had for this young lady. She could've been the person who found the cure for cancer."
Authorities are offering a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Anyone with information is asked to call 800-244-TIPS (8477).