A Guyanese girl whose family migrated to New York last year died on Thursday night in Albany, New York after she was hit by a stray bullet.
According to the Schenectady Daily Gazette Kathina Thomas was killed on Thursday evening in the city’s West Hill neighbourhood. “My daughter’s dead! I can’t believe she’s dead like that!” sobbed Shondell McCallister outside her apartment yesterday morning. “Why did they shoot my daughter? Why not me?”
The report said that McCallister’s daughter was outside their home playing when witnesses heard a pop and she fell to the ground shortly before 8:30 p.m., according to city police spokesman James Miller.
She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Miller, who said the neighbourhood has been affected by crime, said it was likely a stray bullet that hit her in the upper back. A streak of blood still stained the pavement yesterday morning.
According to the report, Kathina, a fourth-grader at Sheridan Preparatory Academy, was active in the school’s chorus, according to school officials.
“The thing that comes to mind for me is she just always had a bright smile on,” said Principal Cecily Wilson in a release. “She developed very good friendships here. She was a ’girl’s girl.’ Giggly when they were playing outside, and always ready with that smile.”
