Shamoya McKenzie: City 'heartbroken' over shot girl

Students returned to Graham Elementary School in Mount Vernon today ready to support each other after the tragic holiday shooting of one of their classmates.

It is the first day back in class in the city since the holiday break and since Shamoya McKenzie, 13, was struck and killed by a stray bullet on New Year's Eve. The eighth-grader at Graham was "a rising star," school Principal Natasha Hunter-McGregor told The Journal News/lohud today. Monday

"Mount Vernon is where Shamoya wanted to be," Nadine McKenzie, Shamoya's mother, said during a press conference. "She wanted to take Mount Vernon to the highest level."

"She was taken from us, the whole community," McKenzie said. The perfect child, taken away from us."

Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said the entire city was mourning Shamoya's death.

"The city is heartbroken over the loss of Shamoya McKenzie," Thomas said.

Hunter-McGregor and city schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton held a news conference at the Mount Vernon Education Center to discuss McKenzie's death.

"She was an excellent student. She was a true shining star, and she still is in my eye," Hunter-McGregor said.

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McKenzie was a promising basketball player who made the junior varsity team at Mount Vernon High School this year. But she was beloved as an all-around talent, Hunter-McGregor said.

"She wasn't just a basketball star," she said. "She was an excellent role model. She made us proud. I am honored to have had this opportunity to know her."

More than 15 grief counselors were stationed at Graham today as students returned to school, where message boards were set up for students to express their thoughts on McKenzie, Hunter-McGregor said. Faculty and staff met with students and are there to provide extra support as they mourn McKenzie's loss, she said.

"First and foremost we wanted to express to them that we love them and that they are safe," Hunter-McGregor said. "Their well being is what we're focused on right now."

School and city officials said funeral arrangements were still being set. A gofundme page had been set up to help McKenzie's family pay for the services.

Mount Vernon police are still investigating the shooting, which took place around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

A bullet struck McKenzie in the head as she rode in a vehicle on East Third Street. She was pronounced dead shortly after at Mount Vernon Montefiore Hospital.

A 28-year-old Mount Vernon man was also shot and was hospitalized with an arm injury, police said.

New York State Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the shooting. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-866-313-8477.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call police at 914-668-6841 or 914-665-2511.

Twitter: @MattSpillane