Full Breakdown
Tragic Shooting of Seven-Month-Old Kaori Patterson-Moore in Brooklyn
4/5/2026, 11:51:38 AM
Incident Overview
On April 2, 2026, a seven-month-old baby, Kaori Patterson-Moore, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The incident occurred around 1:20 PM while Kaori was in her stroller, being pushed by her mother, Lianna Charles-Moore. The shooting, which police believe was gang-related, involved two suspects on a moped who fired at a group of people, with Kaori being an unintended victim. Her mother initially thought the gunfire was fireworks until she discovered her daughter had been shot in the head.
Arrests and Charges
Following the shooting, 21-year-old Amuri Greene was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder. Greene allegedly fired the shots while riding on the back of the moped. The second suspect, 18-year-old Matthew Rodriguez, was apprehended in Pennsylvania two days later, with pending charges against him. Both suspects are believed to have been involved in a gang-related feud, with police investigating whether Kaori's father, Jamari Patterson, was the intended target due to an ongoing social media dispute with a rival group.
Eyewitness Accounts
Lianna Charles-Moore described the horrifying moment she realized her daughter had been shot. After fleeing into a nearby bodega for safety, she looked down to find Kaori bleeding. “I was hugging him and then when I looked to my left, my daughter was just there, lying there,” she recounted. Tragically, Kaori was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Woodhull Hospital. The incident has left the family devastated, with Lianna expressing her grief and desire for justice.
Official Responses
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch expressed their outrage and sorrow over the incident. Tisch described the shooting as a tragedy that “truly shocks the conscience,” emphasizing the need for action against gun violence. Mamdani stated, “A life that had barely begun was taken in an instant,” and highlighted the ongoing struggle against such violence in the city. Critics, including Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, have accused the mayor of focusing on gun control rather than addressing the actions of the criminals involved.
Community Impact
The shooting has reignited discussions about gun violence in New York City, particularly its impact on children. Advocacy groups like Everytown for Gun Safety have pointed out that firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. The community has expressed outrage and sorrow, with many calling for more stringent measures to prevent such tragedies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While police have indicated that the shooting was gang-related, Lianna Charles-Moore has denied any gang affiliations for her family, calling the claims “insensitive and disturbing.” There is also ongoing confusion regarding the exact relationship between the suspects and the victim's family, as well as the motivations behind the shooting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My daughter was innocent. She didn’t deserve that,” — Lianna Charles-Moore, Mother of Kaori Patterson-Moore
- “This is a terrible day in our city, a tragedy that truly shocks the conscience,” — Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner
- “We cannot accept this violence as normal. Too many families have suffered this pain.” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City
The tragic death of Kaori Patterson-Moore serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of gun violence and its devastating effects on families and communities.
