Mount Vernon Family Pleads For Young Basketball Star's Killer To Come Forward
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Hearts were broken in Westchester County when an eighth grader, and rising basketball star, was killed by a stray bullet.
Now, her mother, coach, and others in the grief-stricken community are pleading for the shooter to come forward.
As CBS2's Lou Young reported, a lot of people in Mount Vernon were deeply shaken by the shooting death of Shamoya McKenzie, 13. On Monday afternoon, flames flickered as part of a memorial in a cold rain on East Third Street in Mount Vernon where the shooting happened.
The stray shot killed the innocent girl in broad daylight in New Year's Eve. Now, police are asking for outside help.
"We are stretched thin with our resources. As such, we have asked assistance from the FBI, the Westchester County District Attorney's office, and the New York State Police," said Mount Vernon police Capt. Ed Adinari.
The killing stunned Mont Vernon, where worshipers from half a dozen churches prayed on the steps of City Hall for the soul of a community that lost the light of a promising young life literally on the threshold.
"This is a 13-year-old young lady; a rising star; a student athlete. It is terrorism in our community," said Shawyne Patterson of Mount Vernon. "If you can be shot just driving down a street, running errands with your family, then where are we safe?"
"Oh my God, my angel is gone!" said Shamoya's mother, Nadine McKenzie.
Nadine McKenzie was driving when the gunman fired at an unknown target, killing her daughter where she sat. The eighth grader was six feet tall – a strong basketball prospect who dreamed of going to UConn.
"I thought she was playing, I didn't know she really got shot until I see the big hole in my window," Nadine McKenzie said.
Web Extra: GoFundMe To Assist The McKenzie Family With Funeral Expenses
White balloons floated aloft in her honor on New Year's Day.
On Monday at a nearby bowling alley, Shamoya's former teammates gathered for an outing she had planned to attend with them before everything happened. The girl's grief-stricken family instead came seeking solace in the love she left behind.
Police said the eighth grader was no the intended target -- a chilling statement for those gathered at her memorial on Sunday.
"She's just in the car, you know it could've been anyone. I could be riding with my son that same route," Dorotie Bereen said.
As WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported, the community was mobilizing to find the killer, and help the family.
"Put the guns down, please," her mother said.
On Monday, her coach and all who knew her wanted to know who took those dreams away.
"I know there's somebody out there who knows something. Please catch this person, please find out what happened," coach David Newton said.
The mayor of the shocked city said he is taxing law enforcement resources to the maximum to find the killer.
"There are definitely extra patrols. There are a lot of resources that we've brought in over the holiday to make sure that we run every thread to the ground," said Mayor Richard Thomas.
Mount Vernon is always struggling with limited resources. Its police department numbers 193, but that is down 19 in recent years -- almost 10 percent.
Police believe a 28-year-old man may have been the intended target in the shooting. He too was hit by gunshots and is in the hospital, but sources told CBS2 he was not cooperating with police to help find the killer.
City Hall hopes that the federal and state aid the are asking for, and a $2,500 Crime Stoppers reward, will help solve the case.