A 21-year-old Brooklyn man has been charged with murder after a 7-month-old baby was fatally struck by a stray bullet in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon.

Amuri Greene was arrested Thursday and faces three counts of murder, attempted murder, five counts of criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of assault in the death of infant Kaori Patterson-Moore, while a second suspect, 18-year-old Matthew Rodriguez, was taken into custody in Pennsylvania with charges pending, according to the New York City Police Department.

The fatal incident has drawn widespread condemnation from city officials and community members alike. Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the baby's death as "an unthinkable loss," and the case has reignited urgent conversations about gun violence in New York City's neighborhoods and the safety of innocent bystanders, particularly children.

A Deadly Afternoon on a Brooklyn Street Corner

According to the NYPD, the shooting unfolded Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Moore Street and Humboldt Street in Williamsburg. Police said two individuals arrived at the location on a moped. The person riding on the back of the moped then opened fire multiple times, authorities said, as AOL reports.

Kaori Patterson-Moore, just seven months old, was in her stroller at the time of the shooting. The infant was struck by the gunfire and rushed to a nearby hospital. Tragically, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Following the shooting, the moped fled the scene. The NYPD immediately launched a citywide manhunt and released surveillance photos of two males believed to be connected to the incident. Police asked for the public's assistance in identifying the individuals captured in the images.

Suspects Apprehended Across State Lines

The manhunt led to the arrest of Amuri Greene on Thursday afternoon. The NYPD initially said Thursday that charges were forthcoming against Greene and noted that he was at a hospital at the time. By Friday, police confirmed the full slate of charges filed against him.

In an update on Friday evening, the NYPD announced that a second suspect had been located and taken into custody in Pennsylvania. That individual was identified as 18-year-old Matthew Rodriguez. Charges against Rodriguez are pending, police said.

It is not immediately clear whether Greene has retained legal counsel. The swift apprehension of both suspects came after an intensive effort by investigators that spanned multiple states in just days.

A Grieving Mother Speaks Out About Her Daughter

Kaori's mother, Lianna Charles-Moore, spoke to the New York Post about the devastating loss. She told the outlet that she and her daughter had simply been heading out to pick up items for Kaori and her son when the violence erupted. "My daughter was innocent. She didn't deserve that," Charles-Moore said.

"We were just going outside to get her a few things and my son a few things," Charles-Moore added. She recounted that she initially mistook the sound of the gunfire for fireworks, a detail that underscores how quickly and unexpectedly the violence struck.

Mayor Mamdani also weighed in publicly, posting on X that the city must not grow numb to such tragedies. "We cannot accept this violence as normal. Too many families have suffered this pain," the mayor wrote.

Lessons to Learn

1. Be aware of your surroundings in public spaces. While no one could have predicted that a shooting would occur at that particular intersection on a Wednesday afternoon, maintaining situational awareness — noting exits, unusual activity, or individuals behaving erratically — can sometimes provide critical seconds to react in an emergency. However, in this case, the violence came without any warning.

2. Know how to respond to the sound of gunfire. Charles-Moore initially believed the gunshots were fireworks, which is a common and understandable reaction. Familiarizing yourself with the difference between the two sounds and having a plan to take immediate cover if you suspect gunfire can be potentially life-saving. Organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security recommend a "Run, Hide, Fight" approach during active shooting situations.

3. Report suspicious activity to authorities promptly. The NYPD's release of surveillance images and request for public help played a role in the rapid identification of suspects. If you witness suspicious behavior or have information about criminal activity, contacting law enforcement can make a meaningful difference. That said, it is essential to remember that crime can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of precautions taken, and victims should never be blamed for the actions of those who commit violence.

Why This Story Matters

The death of Kaori Patterson-Moore is a grim reminder that stray-bullet violence does not discriminate — it can claim the most vulnerable and innocent lives in a community. This case matters because it highlights the broader crisis of gun violence affecting urban neighborhoods across the country, where families going about everyday routines can be caught in deadly crossfire. As Mayor Mamdani stated, too many families have endured this kind of pain, and the community must confront the conditions that allow such senseless acts to continue.

In summary, 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore was fatally shot on Wednesday afternoon while in her stroller at a Brooklyn intersection after a passenger on a moped opened fire. Amuri Greene, 21, of Brooklyn, was arrested Thursday and charged Friday with multiple counts of murder, attempted murder, weapon possession, and assault. A second suspect, 18-year-old Matthew Rodriguez, was apprehended in Pennsylvania, with charges still pending. The infant's mother, Lianna Charles-Moore, described her daughter as innocent and said the family had merely been running errands when the violence unfolded. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the killing an unthinkable tragedy and urged the city not to accept such violence as routine.