Two New York teenagers who shot and killed 11-year-old Kyhara Tay while on her way from school will now spend over a decade behind bars.
A Bronx district judge handed Matthew Godwin, now 18, 10 years to life in prison, and Omar Bojang, now 21, 15 years to life in prison. Godwin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while Bojang pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
"This case was a singular tragedy because of the ages of everyone involved. Their actions ended the life of a young girl forever and forever destroyed her family and loved ones that stand with me here today," said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, according to CBS News.
On May 16, 2022, Bojang, who was 18 years old at the time, operated a moped with Godwin, who was 15 years old at the time, as a passenger, and rode along Westchester Avenue looking for a rival gang member. Upon sighting the 13-year-old target, Godwin fired several shots, missed the target, and struck Tay in the chest before she ran into a nail shop for help and collapsed.
Though she was rushed to a nearby hospital, Tay succumbed to her injuries that night. As a result, residents were outraged, while the victim’s family received much support. Godwin was arrested four days after the fatal incident, while Bojang was arrested three days later.
During the sentencing hearing, both men apologized to Tay’s family, who fought back tears.
"I never meant to hurt your little girl, I hope one day you can forgive me," said Godwin, reported Eyewitness News.
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