The mother of the 7-month-old baby killed in Brooklyn this week spoke with Eyewitness News on Friday and said she wants to set the record straight.
The mom of Kaori Patterson-Moore asked not to be identified by name.
Her daughter was in a stroller when she was struck in the head by a stray bullet in an incident that police believe was gang-related.
“She didn’t deserve to die, she didn’t deserve any of this, and I just wish that she was here because I can’t smell her, I can’t kiss her, I can’t hold her anymore, she’s just gone,” the baby’s mother said.
She said it all happened in the blink of an eye.
Newly obtained surveillance video shows the young family crossing the street in East Williamsburg on Wednesday afternoon and quickly ducking as a moped sped by them.
“I just wish I could have done more as a mom to protect them both, because walking in the street and that just happened, and I didn’t realize until I got into the store,” the mother said. “Just kill me, you know? I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I miss you so much.”
The 20-year-old mother of two is terrified, heartbroken and overwhelmed after her infant daughter was struck by a bullet.
“I’m just so upset about everything, everybody’s posting online saying my fiancé is a part of the reason why my daughter is gone, that’s not the reason why she’s gone,” the mother said.
That came after the NYPD said her fiancé may have been the intended target in the shooting.
The suspected shooter, Amuri Greene, was arrested after trying to flee the scene. He was charged Friday with murder, attempted murder and assault.
Police are still searching for the driver of the moped.
“It is hurtful and I’m trying my best to be here for my son, so just saying, for being mindful that everyone just is mindful how they come to me when they’re texting me online or saying stuff,” the mother said.
The young mother is now focused on protecting her 2-year-old son who was in the stroller with his sister and grazed in his back by a bullet.
“At the end of the day, I’m still trying to take care of my son, my son is still here, he got grazed by a bullet,” she said. “I’m still trying to take care of him. He’s complaining about his back and yeah… that’s all I have to say. I just wish people would be more mindful of what they say.”
———-
* More Brooklyn news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.