SHARE

Reward Offered For Information On Fatal Teen Shooting In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Law enforcement officials are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the gunman who shot and killed a Mount Vernon Middle School student on New Year’s Eve.

Shamoya McKenzie

Shamoya McKenzie

Photo Credit: MVHS Lady Knights Basketball Facebook

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, 13-year-old rising basketball star Shamoya McKenzie was a passenger in a car when she was struck in the head by a stray bullet near the intersection of Chestnut Place and 3rd Street.


According to police, McKenzie was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A second victim was also struck in the shooting, suffering non-life threatening injuries.

A star for both the Mount Vernon Junior Knights, Lady Elites and the High School JV Lady Knights, McKenzie had dreams of attending the University of Connecticut to play under coach Geno Auriemma before making her way to the WNBA.

In response to the shooting, family and friends have set up a GoFundMe fundraising page that saw nearly $15,000 in donations in just two days.

The search for a suspect in Saturday’s shooting is ongoing. It is the second fatal shooting during the holiday season, following an incident at the Mansion nightclub on Christmas morning, where club owner O’Neil Bandoo was shot and killed.

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas has said that police are still processing information and tips, and that the investigation is ongoing. No suspect has been brought into custody. Funeral arrangements have not been confirmed.

A private memorial was held for McKenzie’s family at the Graham School gymnasium over the weekend, where Shamoya starred as a member of the basketball team. Anyone with information on the shooting can contact the New York State Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-866-313-8477.

Mount Vernon officials have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon, where more details on the New Year’s Eve shooting may be released. Keep following Daily Voice for more information as it becomes available.

to follow Daily Voice Pelham and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE