EAST WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (WABC) — Community activists and leaders held a vigil condemning what police believe was gang violence that led to 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore’s death in Brooklyn.
The 7-month-old was shot and killed on Moore and Humboldt Streets in East Williamsburg while her family was out for a walk.
On the eve of Easter Sunday, elected officials, community activists and religious leaders offered hope and healing to the family through the power of worship.
“Prayer is the key of everything, right? And the hardest moments, we got to pray. And our moments where we don’t know what to do. We have no resources. We go into prayer. So why not bring the community together and praying?” said Minister Alejandro Zayas.
NYPD arrested Matthew Rodriguez, 18, on Friday. Detectives tracked the suspected driver of the moped involved in the shooting to Pennsylvania.
The alleged triggerman, who was seen on the back of the moped, 21-year-old Amuri Green was arraigned on Friday. Among the charges are murder and attempted murder.
Police have said they are looking into whether the baby’s father was the intended target in what they are investigating as a possible gang-related shooting.
The 7-month-old’s family is calling for more resources for the youth and community engagement.
“We have failed some way through the generations. We failed a lot of these young kids. They don’t know. They don’t know. They don’t have the morals,” they said.
Attorney General Letitia James says more needs to be done to remove the guns off the streets.
“If you have a gun, an illegal gun, you an attorney, and you can contact my office, contact the District Attorney’s office. We will give you some resources in exchange for that gun,” said James
The loss of baby Kaori has hit the community hard with residents unable to find the words.
For now, the family is focused on keeping the baby’s memory alive.
“We don’t want anyone to go through this,” said grandmother Linda Oyinkoinyan.
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