Police say the gunman was aiming at a nearby van, shoots girl on scooter dead

The gunman who shot and killed a 12-year-old girl while she was riding her scooter has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for charges related to her death, and an additional 15 years for another killing.

Genesis Rincon of Paterson, New Jersey, was shot in the head by a stray bullet while riding her scooter in July 2014.

According to CBS News, police said the gunman, Jhymiere Moore, 22, was aiming at a nearby van when he shot and killed the 12-year-old girl.

“This was very clearly a shootout between two gangs,” Judge Ernest Caposela reportedly said in court Friday.

Moore had pleaded guilty in April to aggravated manslaughter. On Friday, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the manslaughter charges, and eight years on gun charges. Moore also admitted to killing Ragee Clark in an argument in 2013, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for that crime.

The sentences will reportedly run concurrently.

The convicted killer also gave a statement of apology, read by his attorney.

“I know that an apology would never transcend the pain they must feel, but it is all that I can offer,” Moore’s attorney said in court on Friday.

The 12-year-old victim’s father responded to the statement in court, saying he accepted the apology, and that blamed the tragic killing on gang violence.

“It’s the streets,” Genesis’s father Alexis Rincon said, addressing Moore.

“And you’re a father now, and I hope you never have to feel what I feel or any of these families feel.”

Clark’s mother also responded to the apology.

“I do forgive you, but I will never forget what you did to me,” Kowanda Holmes said. “You put a scar on my heart that will never close.”

 

Feature photo: Facebook