Bronx, NY — In a tragic sequence of events in the Bronx, two men have been sentenced for their roles in a shooting that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl. The unintended victim, Kyhara Tay, was fatally shot in May 2022. On that fateful day, the young girl was simply on her way home from school when she unwittingly became a casualty of urban gang violence.
The convicted, Matthew Godwin, and Omar Bojang were teenagers at the time of the crime, merely 18 and 15 years old respectively. Both were involved in a misguided attempt to shoot a rival gang member but instead struck Tay. Reports from the investigation disclosed that Godwin fired the fatal shots from a handgun while riding on a scooter driven by Bojang on Westchester Avenue.
Godwin, now 18, received a sentence of 10 years to life in prison for second-degree murder, reflecting his direct role in the shooting. Meanwhile, Bojang, now aged 21, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. This tragic incident highlights a harrowing reality of violence involving young perpetrators and victims alike, which continues to disturb community members and authorities.
During a recent court appearance, emotional tensions were palpable as Godwin addressed the victim’s family, expressing his remorse. “I never meant to hurt your little girl, I hope one day you can forgive me,” he said, taking full responsibility for the act. Bojang also offered an apology, expressing a desire to provide restitution to society for his past actions.
The severity of the crime and its consequences reverberated around the Bronx community, prompting an outpouring of support for the victim’s family. In court, Kyhara’s mother, Yahisha Gomez, spoke about the sentences, highlighting her mixed feelings of grief and relief, “The sentence they have is not going to bring Kyhara back but it gave us some type of peace that they’re off the streets,” she remarked.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark commented on the broader implications of the case. “Their actions ended the life of a young girl forever and forever destroyed her family and loved ones,” Clark said, underscoring the permanent impact of such violent incidents on families and communities.
The presiding judge pointed out the disturbing trend of children committing crimes against other children, which adds a layer of tragedy to the already sorrowful situation. The intended target of the gunshot was also a minor, only 13 years old, further highlighting the urgent need for interventions to prevent youth involvement in gang activities and violence.
The sentencing concludes a chapter of legal proceedings, but for the community and everyone touched by the life and loss of Kyhara Tay, the journey toward healing continues. Community leaders, alongside law enforcement officials, are called upon to intensify efforts in combatting the cycle of violence and offering young people safer, healthier alternatives to gang affiliation. Only through collective action can such tragedies be prevented in the future, ensuring no more lives are lost to senseless acts of violence.