A Bronx community is still reeling after a senseless act of gang violence took the life of 11-year-old Kyhara Tay—an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of a teen turf war. Now, nearly two years later, the young gunman who pulled the trigger has been sentenced to prison for her murder.
Matthew Godwin was just 15 years old when he fired the fatal shots that killed Kyhara on May 16, 2022. This week, at age 18, he was sentenced to 10 years to life behind bars after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
According to prosecutors, Godwin and 21-year-old Omar Bojang were cruising through the Bronx on an electric scooter, hunting for a 13-year-old rival gang member. When they spotted their target on the sidewalk, Bojang drove up close—and Godwin opened fire.
But the bullets didn’t hit their intended mark. One of the rounds struck Kyhara in the stomach as she stood outside a nail salon, waiting for friends. She died later that night at the hospital.
The fallout has left a lasting scar.
“Kyhara never had the chance to grow up,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “She was an innocent child, and her life was stolen in a flash because of senseless violence between teens.”
Bojang, who drove the scooter, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter. He’s expected to be sentenced in May to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
The court heard emotional testimony from Kyhara’s family, who described sleepless nights, anxiety, and the raw pain of losing their daughter.
“You denied her the opportunity to graduate, to fall in love, to live life,” Kyhara’s mother said in court. “They took away all her dreams.”
Godwin addressed the family directly, claiming he was sorry and that the shooting was never meant to happen.
“I never intended to hurt your little girl,” he said. “I’m so sorry. I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me.”
Bojang also expressed remorse, calling the pain he caused “unimaginable and relentless.”
Despite their grief, Kyhara’s family has become active in anti-gun violence efforts, turning heartbreak into advocacy. The district attorney praised them for their strength and vowed that Kyhara’s story would not fade into silence.
“This is not the final chapter,” said Clark. “Through her family’s voice, Kyhara’s legacy will live on.”
The case serves as yet another devastating reminder of how quickly gang violence can shatter lives—and how even children can become victims of a war they never chose.
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Author: thedailycrime1
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