Friends and family gathered on Monday, dressed in pink and white, to hold a heartfelt funeral service for 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was killed by a stray bullet in Brooklyn. The community came together to honor the infant whose life was cut short in a violent incident that has left a neighborhood in mourning and a family shattered.
The tragedy occurred on April 1, 2026, in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. Kaori was being pushed in a stroller by her mother near the corner of Humboldt and Moore Streets when gunfire erupted. While her parents and 2-year-old brother managed to flee into a nearby bodega for safety, the infant was struck in the head by a bullet fired by a suspect on a moped.
Despite desperate efforts to save her, Kaori was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Woodhull Hospital. Her father later described the loss as an “unbearable pain,” noting that the baby had just begun saying the word “mama” and taking her first steps days before the shooting on April 1.
A Community in Mourning: The Funeral and Eulogy
The funeral service served as both a farewell and a call for systemic change. Reverend Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy, emphasizing the need for the tragedy to serve as a catalyst for community awareness and action.
“I said that we must turn this tragedy into a wake-up call in our own community,” Sharpton said during the service. “If you can look at a coffin that doesn’t even need pallbearers and that doesn’t shake you in your heart and in your life, then something’s numb about you.”
The emotional toll on the family remains profound. Raheem Jennings, a family friend, described the mother as “very, very devastated,” noting that she continues to struggle with outbursts of grief.
The loss has resonated across East Williamsburg. In the days following the shooting, residents placed hundreds of candles and a pink stuffed bunny outside the home of Kaori’s father to honor her memory on April 2. During a Saturday vigil, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Bishop Maldonado of the Brooklyn Collective Clergy joined the family to offer support and prayer.
Legal Proceedings and Indictments
Justice is currently moving through the court system as authorities seek to hold the perpetrators accountable. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has announced the indictment of two men in connection with the killing. Amuri Greene and Matthew Rodriguez have been indicted on second-degree murder charges as of Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the prosecution’s theory is that the suspects acted in concert. Amuri Greene is identified as the suspected gunman, while Matthew Rodriguez is the suspected scooter driver. Both men are similarly charged in the shooting of Kaori’s 2-year-old brother, who was grazed by a bullet during the attack on April 7.
The legal process has seen some delays due to the location of the suspects. While Greene waived his right to attend his first court appearance, Rodriguez was apprehended in Pennsylvania. Rodriguez waived extradition and was expected to be returned to Brooklyn for arraignment by the end of the week of April 7.
The Question of Intent and Gang Violence
The motive behind the shooting has been a point of contention and investigation. Police officials initially suggested that the infant’s father may have been the intended target of the attack. However, this theory has been met with skepticism by both the family and legal representatives.
District Attorney Eric Gonzalez stated on April 7 that while the shooting is alleged to have been a targeted attempt at a person, he was not prepared to definitively state that the father was the target on April 7. Law enforcement believe the baby was a victim of gang violence.
The victim’s grandmother, Linda Oyinkonyan, has called for immediate intervention programs for troubled youth, including parenting classes and educational initiatives, to prevent further tragedies in the area via CBS News.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore is fatally shot in East Williamsburg. |
| April 2, 2026 | Community members hold memorials and place candles outside the family home. |
| April 5, 2026 | Community vigil held in East Williamsburg with faith and elected leaders. |
| April 7, 2026 | Amuri Greene and Matthew Rodriguez are indicted on second-degree murder charges. |
| Monday (April 13/14) | Funeral service held with eulogy delivered by Reverend Al Sharpton. |
The next confirmed legal step involves the formal arraignment of Matthew Rodriguez in Brooklyn following his extradition from Pennsylvania. The community continues to advocate for increased youth intervention programs to curb the cycle of violence in the borough.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on community safety and youth intervention in the comments below.