ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The family of a 30-year-old woman fatally struck by a stray bullet is pleading for answers as authorities investigate the tragic incident. Kitana Kendrick was shot early Sunday morning near Gothic Street, and the search for the shooter continues.
Kendrick’s mother, Nadine Dukes, expressed her heartbreak, recalling her daughter as her “princess” and “mini me.” With a heavy heart, Dukes reflected on their last conversation, when Kendrick asked about her great-grandmother, who had passed away just hours earlier. “My baby is not here anymore,” Dukes said, overwhelmed by grief as she prepared to say goodbye.
The heartbreaking news came as Dukes was trying to navigate her own emotions after receiving a call from her mother’s friend, inquiring if she had heard from Kendrick. It was then that she learned of her daughter’s shooting. Kendrick had been with her boyfriend at the time, making an Uber drop-off when the gunfire erupted.
Adrian Aguinzoni, Kendrick’s aunt, shared her sense of disbelief, voicing a haunting hope that she would wake from this nightmare. “I keep thinking she’s going to be fine, that she’ll show up for Thanksgiving or Christmas,” Aguinzoni said. The family’s devastation is palpable, as they cope with the loss of a vibrant life taken too soon.
As the investigation unfolds, the major crimes unit is treating Kendrick’s death as a homicide. Authorities have urged anyone with information or video evidence to come forward and contact the police. The community is left grappling with the senseless violence that has claimed yet another life.
Kendrick’s family members are now focused on honoring her memory while dealing with the overwhelming grief. Dukes emphasized the importance of her remaining child as a source of strength in this trying time. “He’s the only reason why I’m here right now,” she admitted, speaking to the heavy burden of loss.
The tragedy has sparked a renewed call for safety and support within the community, highlighting the impact of gun violence on families and neighborhoods. As the investigation continues, the hope remains that the person responsible for this devastating act will be brought to justice.