Holding the names of 11 people killed last year in Mount Vernon, dozens of parents and students silently marched in the dark Wednesday evening, up the steps to City Hall, where they were would demand an end to gun violence in the city.
Classmates and coaches of 13-year-old Shamoya McKenzie, the "shining star" eighth-grader killed by a stray bullet while riding home from basketball practice earlier in the month, were among the protesters.
"We're trying to get the elected officials to do what they're elected to do," said Dwayne Murray, who coached McKenzie. The girl was a standout junior varsity basketball player with sights on college.
A week earlier, club owner O'Neal Bandoo was shot dead by a vengeful patron on Christmas morning, according to prosecutors. His 11-year-old daughter held a collage of his pictures at Wednesday night's demonstration.
"She knows what happened. It hasn't hit her yet, the funeral hasn't happened yet, but there's nothing I can say to her," said Althea Simon, the girl's mother.
But protesters have a message for City Hall, which has been plagued by infighting among its leaders. Residents believe the power plays are affecting how the city is run.
"Let's forget the political retribution, the nonsense," said Murray. "There's a basic question, why is there not a police commissioner? Why was there only 12 officers on duty at this time?"
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While the city council president sympathized with their concerns, he told pretesters that Mayor Richard Thomas is responsible for managing police. Thomas was not at the meeting.
Residents said they won't stop fighting for the victims.
"Shamoya did everything right," said Murray. "She was good in school, she didn't hang out. And she still got killed."
The investigation into McKenzie's shooting death continues, but no arrests have been made. Shamoya's mother has said Shamoya dreamed of attending the University of Connecticut and playing for the WNBA. She already was playing junior varsity basketball with Mount Vernon High School's Lady Knights.
Basketball is "very, very big" in Mount Vernon, with the potential for college scholarships a big draw, said Murray, who coaches at both the high school and a feeder system that develops younger players.
Shamoya was invited to a tryout when she was around 10 or 11. "She cut her teeth playing with the boys," Murray previously told the AP.
"She was a hard worker," he said, with "a quiet determination. She wouldn't back down."
Her mother told Murray that Shamoya had also "doubled down" on her schoolwork.
"She always talked about wanting to get a major for business," said Murray, who sadly recalled his promise of "going to college for free."
