The
family grieving the loss of their 11-year-old daughter was backed by advocates
against gun violence and members of the Longwood community Wednesday at a rally
to denounce gun violence.
The
rally took place at the intersection where 11-year-old Khyara Tay was shot.
Leaders, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, are calling for support
and funding for intervention groups in the community, as well as federal
assistance in reducing the flow of illegal guns into the Bronx.
“We
have to attack guns, but we also have to attack the issues that are in
our city,” said Assemblymember Amanda Septimo. “We know violence is a direct result of the
problems in our community, and in the Bronx we have too many problems for too
long.”
A
bullet that police believe was intended for someone else traveled half a
block before striking the sixth grader in the stomach Monday afternoon
on Westchester Avenue.
Surveillance
video from the scene shows the pair of suspects riding a scooter with the
alleged shooter firing from the back of the moped. Police are offering up to
$10,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
The
Bronx District Attorney’s Office says that 16 children have been the victims of
shootings in the Bronx this year.