NEW YORK – In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the Brooklyn community, a second suspect has been arrested in connection with the tragic shooting death of a 7-month-old baby. This event has left many in disbelief and mourning.
On Friday, police announced that 18-year-old Matthew Rodriguez was captured in Pennsylvania. This arrest comes just two days after the baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, was killed in a stray-bullet shooting that has been described by officials as “a tragedy that truly shocks the conscience.”
The alleged shooter, 21-year-old Amuri Greene, was arrested shortly after the drive-by incident. He has since pleaded not guilty to murder and other related charges during his arraignment on Friday night and remains in custody without bail.
According to police reports, Kaori was in her stroller when Greene, riding on the back of a moped, fired shots into a crowd on a street corner. Tragically, the innocent baby was struck in the head.
Kaori’s mother, Lianna Charles-Moore, shared the horrific moment with the New York Post, revealing that she initially thought she heard fireworks. When she turned to comfort her startled 2-year-old son, who had been grazed by a bullet, she saw her infant daughter bleeding. “My daughter was innocent. She didn’t deserve that,” she expressed, highlighting the profound loss of her baby who was just beginning to crawl and say “Mama.”
Greene reportedly told police that he was aiming for someone else in the crowd, according to the court documents. His attorney, Jay Schwitzman, announced intentions to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Following the shooting, the moped crashed into a car two blocks away, leading to injuries for Greene, who was later hospitalized while in police custody. The moped driver managed to escape the scene.
As of now, authorities have not disclosed the specific details of Rodriguez’s involvement, nor have they indicated if they are looking for anyone else aside from Greene and the moped driver.
The community remains in shock, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch expressing their heartbreak over the loss of Kaori. “This is a terrible day in our city,” Tisch stated during a news briefing, emphasizing the deep impact of this tragedy on the community.
