Mom of Slain Boy Holds Prayer Vigil

As the community mourns, Rondell Pinkerton is being held without bail on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon in 4-year-old Lloyd Morgan's death

The mother of the 4-year-old boy shot dead in a Bronx playground said Thursday that while she was glad arrests were made, "They can never bring my baby back."

Shianne Norman, mother of 4-year-old Lloyd Morgan, appeared with community leaders at a prayer vigil Thursday afternoon, sobbing as she tried to speak.

"They got to stop taking babies," she said.

Meanwhile, detectives continued to search for others believed to be involved in the shooting that killed Lloyd, who was struck in the head with a stray bullet. Two people have already been arrested, including Rondell Pinkerton, 17, who pleaded not guilty to murder and was being held without bail.

Detectives think the shooting may have been in retaliation for another shooting last week, sources said. A woman whose son is an "associate" of Pinkerton has received death threats and requested an emergency transfer from her public housing apartment, sources said. Her son is believed to be part of Pinkerton's crew, and told his mother he would be going away for a little while, sources said.

"It is obviously a very sad situation when you have a 17-year-old admitting to the fact that he fired shots where a 4-year-old was killed," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

Courtney Kelly, 26, was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon. His role in the shooting wasn't immediately clear. Information on attorneys wasn't available for either suspect.

Police have recovered a gun used in the shooting, sources said.

The gunfire broke out Sunday night on a basketball court in Morrisania during a game that was being played as part of a memorial for a victim of violence, a woman who died here more than a year ago, residents said.

Lloyd's funeral is planned for Wednesday.

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