The New York-based, Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA) is offering a US$50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer of Alastasia Bryan, a New York Corrections Officer born to Guyanese parents.
Bryan, the 25 year old daughter of Guyanese Donald and Ingrid Bryan, was shot five times on Sunday while entering her car on her way to work.
The attack occurred just steps away from her Avenue L and 73rd Street home in Brooklyn, New York.
According to CBS New York, she had only been working at the Ann M. Kross Center at the Riker’s Island Prison for a month after graduating from the New York City Corrections Officers Academy.
It has been reported that Detectives believe Bryan was likely the intended target of the shooting, which killed her instantly with police being quoted as stating that surveillance footage showed the shooter waiting in a parked car for about an hour before attacking Bryan.
“He got out of the vehicle and fired five rounds into the car, striking her and killing her,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce is reported as saying. “This male then got into a car and then drove away.”
On Monday evening a candle light vigil held in the community was attended by Guyanese-American leaders including New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Guyana’s Consul General to New York City Barbara Atherly, President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) Rickford Burke and President of the Guyana Action Committee (GAC) Errol Lewis.
In a release to local media CGID said that the Guyana community is shocked and horrified at Bryan’s murder.
They called on the entire New York City Law enforcement fraternity to bring every and all necessary resources to bear to apprehend and bring Officer Bryan’s killer to swift justice.
Meanwhile Bryan’s family is clinging to their faith in the face of what is to them an inexplicable tragedy.
The victim’s aunt, Mintha Bryan is reported to have told CBS, the Bryan’s mother heard the shots that killed her youngest child and ran to her side.
“They hear the gunshots. She know Alastasia just went out to go to work…so she run outside,” Mintha Bryan said.
The family is struggling with the idea that someone would want to hurt her.
“I know how my family is right now, with the pain. She was a lovable person, kind-hearted and cared for everyone,” her uncle, Anthony Moore reportedly said before declaring, “We leave everything in their hands and take care of the culprit by the grace of God.”
Persons with information about this crime are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
