Neighbors are taking a stand after a recent drive by shooting left one person dead and several others injured in Allerton.
"It could have been my granddaughter, coming down the street walking here, I got my great grandson over there, she could have been walking down the street to get something at a store and it could have been bam... it's just got to stop," said Grace Marrero, who lives in Allerton and represents the Allerton Barnes Block Association.
Marrero organized a community rally with neighbors next to a candlelight vigil for Jamari Henry, 24-year-old who was killed on Sept. 2.
"He was a very good person, always kept a smile on is face, he was always doing good deeds, he was always trying to help people, it was very tragic what happened, wrong place wrong time," said Chris, a childhood friend of Henry.
Investigators say a 2023 Honda drove up Allerton Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Monday, and a 16-year-old suspect got out of the car and fired multiple shots from multiple guns before the car took off and crashed into another vehicle near Hone and Arnow Avenues.
Four other people, who investigators say are known to the NYPD were also injured in the shooting.
Police arrested five people, including the 16-year-old gunmen at the sight of the crash where they recovered at least two loaded guns. All five suspects are charged with 20 counts of murder among other charges.
"The youth got to stay out of trouble. Youth outreach, community centers, after school programs, things to keep the youth out of trouble, give them opportunities, that's all they need, everyone has a hidden talent if you don't get the opportunity you will never be able to explore it," said Lavell, a friend of Henry.