‘She was just starting to take her first steps’: Family mourns 7-month-old, Kaori Patterson-Moore, killed by stray bullet in Brooklyn
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Investigators believe the gunfire was intended for someone else, describing the incident as a botched gang-related hit.
A 7-month-old baby girl was fatally struck by a stray bullet in Brooklyn on April 1, 2026, in what police say was a targeted shooting that went tragically wrong, according to the Daily News.
Authorities identified the victim as Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was sitting in a stroller as her mother pushed her along a street in East Williamsburg. The shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. near the intersection of Humboldt and Moore streets, according to the New York Police Department.
Investigators believe the gunfire was intended for someone else, describing the incident as a botched gang-related hit. A bullet struck the infant in the head, leaving her critically injured. Her father rushed her to a nearby hospital, but she could not be saved.
Police say the suspected gunman fled the scene on a scooter immediately after the shooting. As of now, no arrests have been announced, and the suspect remains at large. Authorities are continuing to search for leads and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The killing has shocked the local community and renewed concerns about gun violence in New York City, particularly incidents involving innocent bystanders. Officials described the shooting as senseless and heartbreaking, noting the young victim had just begun reaching early developmental milestones.
Family members expressed devastation over the loss, remembering Kaori as a joyful child whose life was cut tragically short. According to her relatives, she was just starting to take her first steps. According to her mother, she had just said her first word, “Mama.”
Community members and leaders have also called for justice and increased efforts to address violent crime.
Gregory Martinez, a man local to the area said to amNewYork, “The community has to get back together. We need to start making changes. This is not the first time. We had a shooting about a year and a half ago on that corner, where a young man shot a guy. So, it’s sad. It’s very sad that a seven-month-old child who hasn’t lived yet lost their life.”
In a post on X on Wednesday, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “An unthinkable loss. I’m grateful for the hospital staff who did everything they could and the NYPD for their ongoing work to find those responsible for this heinous murder. We cannot accept this violence as normal. Too many families have suffered this pain.”
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify and apprehend the shooter.