7-month-old baby shot and killed in Brooklyn shortly after taking first steps and saying first word.
A tragic incident in Brooklyn has led to the death of a seven-month-old girl, Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was struck by a stray bullet during a gang-related shooting. The incident occurred on April 1, 2026, at approximately 1:20 p.m. as the infant was in a stroller, along with her two-year-old brother Kaizen, being pushed by their mother, 20-year-old Lianna Moore, in the East Williamsburg neighborhood.
According to police reports, Lianna was out shopping for baby supplies when she heard a sound that resembled fireworks, prompting her son to jump out of the stroller in fear. As she rushed her children into a nearby store for safety, Lianna looked down to discover that her daughter had been shot in the head. Despite the immediate actions taken by her fiancé, Jamari Patterson, to transport Kaori to Woodhull Hospital, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. Tragically, the bullet that fatally injured her also grazed her brother’s back, adding to the family’s distress.
Lianna has expressed her heartbreak, describing her daughter as an innocent and joyful child who had just learned to say “mama” and had taken her first steps. The girl’s paternal grandmother, Linda Oyinkoinyan, recalled a frantic phone call from Lianna that day, during which she was overwhelmed with fear and panic upon learning about her granddaughter’s condition.
Surveillance footage from the area captured the shooter and an accomplice on a scooter shortly before the shooting. It is believed that the shooting was part of gang-related violence, with Kaori being an unintended victim. New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that law enforcement considers the act a major concern, highlighting the potential danger to innocent lives in such incidents.
Police have since taken a 21-year-old individual, linked to the shooter and known as a gang associate, into custody. He was apprehended after a crash involving the scooter used in the shooting, where video footage showed the suspects colliding with a vehicle while fleeing the scene. Despite his arrest, specific charges related to the shooting had not been announced at the time of reporting.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life, with family members remembering Kaori as a loving and vibrant child who brought joy to those around her. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward to aid in the pursuit of justice for Kaori.
