Brooklyn – "Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2 pm, Haitian-American Lorita Pierre (61), the mother of the 42nd Assembly County Committee Chair, Josue Pierre, and her neighbor, Cegueny Saintil (47), were shot after a fight had broken out on the street in their East Flatbush neighborhood at Snyder and 31st Street, just blocks away from the 67th Police Precinct. While in her kitchen, one bullet came through the window and grazed Mr. Saintil and another bullet nearly killed Ms. Pierre. The bullet entered her skull right above her right eye causing her sight to be permanently impacted. Fortunately, after multiple surgeries she is reported to be in stable condition.

"I am thankful for the presence of Councilmember Jumaane Williams, co-chair of the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence and a national leader against gun violence, and other elected officials, and community activists who were at King's County Hospital the night of the incident. I am also thankful for the vigil that was organized by Shanduke McPhatter, Executive Director and Founder of G-MACC (Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes), the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, the Haitian American Caucus, and many others in response to the terrible shooting and for the prayers for my Aunt Lorita Pierre's speedy recovery.

"These types of incidents happen all too often. According to the most recent data provided by the Centers for Disease Control on fatal injuries, there were nearly 900 killed in New York State. And according to statistics by the New York Police Department, city-wide data from January through March of this year shows that a little over 200 people have been the victims of shootings. This is the reason I have signed onto and supported legislation such as the New York SAFE Act, along with A9340 and A9341, both of which place limits on the sale of ammunition designed for use in assault weapons. This is the reason why I join hands and march with Councilmember Williams, and members of East Flatbush Village, G-MACC, Operation SNUG, and other members of the community to say, "Not in our hood!" and work to reclaim our streets.

"When these incidents happen, I am deeply saddened because of how people's lives will be impacted. This time it has directly hit home for me.

“I am committed more than ever to finding ways to eliminate gun violence in my district."

Please click here to view ABC news clip and video of the vigil.