An 11-year-old girl was slain in a drive-by shooting while purchasing milk from a Syracuse, New York grocery on Monday night. Law enforcement sources and family social media posts identified the girl as Brexialee Torres-Ortiz.
At 7:43 pm, Brexialee was shot just as she was walking home after purchasing a gallon of milk from the Food King supermarket at the corner of Martin Luther King East and Oakwood Avenue.
According to Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile, a car drove up to the intersection, and the occupant started shooting at a 19-year-old guy standing on the sidewalk. Officer Cecile claimed that the 11-year-old girl was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Lt. Matthew Malinowski, a spokesperson for the Syracuse police, said that Brexialee was shot in the abdomen and was transported to Upstate University Hospital, where she later passed away with her mother by her side.
The young girl, who was called “Brexi,” was an honors student who was president of her 5th-grade class.
The unidentified 19-year-old was shot in the leg, taken to the hospital, and his injuries were not life-threatening. Officer Cecile stated that the young man seemed to be the intended victim of the shooting.
Police have not yet provided any details regarding the suspect car. Authorities are still investigating the incident.
Brexialee was celebrated by friends, family, and activists on Tuesday at 3 pm in a one-mile march vigil from Syracuse’s Salt City Market to the scene of the shooting.