Teen Basketball Star Killed By Stray Bullet In Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A 13-year-old girl was struck and killed in a by a stray bullet in Mount Vernon Saturday.
The victim has been identified as rising Mount Vernon High School basketball star Shamoya McKenzie.
The shooting happened in Mount Vernon around 2:30 Saturday afternoon. McKenzie was sitting in a car near the intersection of Chestnut Place and 3rd Street when she was struck in the head by a bullet meant for someone else.
A 28-year-old man was also struck and wounded by a bullet in the shooting.His injuries are not believed to be serious.
In a post to the Mount Vernon Lady Knights Basketball team's Facebook page, McKenzie was described as a "beautiful, intelligent young lady who brightened the room with her smile."
A private memorial was held in the school's gym Sunday afternoon, attended by friends and family who shared a flood of emotion and memories of the young star.
Her mother tells WCBS 880's Myles Miller that she had plans to make it big.
"She was looking forward to going to UConn, she was looking forward to going to the WNBA," she said.
Dwayne Murray was the program director where McKenzie played basketball. He fought back tears as he remembered the rising star.
"She was on her way," he told 1010 WINS' Andrew Falzon. "If there was a caption you could put on Shamoya it is, she was on her way in a big way."
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas joined mourners at the Sunday vigil.
"A senseless, heinous act of violence lead to her unfortunate, untimely death," he said.
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting.