TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, issued the following statement in response to the tragic death of a 13-year-old Trenton girl in a drive-by shooting at a block party Sunday night:
“At this time of loss for the community, my thoughts and prayers go to the little girl’s family and friends, who are grieving for a life taken far too soon, and the promising future she had before her left unfulfilled. No words can express just how deeply such a senseless and horrific tragedy can impact on those who knew and loved her.
“I, along with so many other people in the community, would like to see the perpetrators behind this terrible act brought to justice swiftly and expeditiously. I encourage anyone who may have information about this sad act of violence to reach out to the appropriate Trenton authorities.
“Furthermore, we must remain vigilant against the specter of gang and gun violence hanging over our streets, and do everything we can to make our neighborhoods a safe place to raise a family. We must continue to work to take guns out of the hands of those individuals who simply have no regard for the sanctity and value of human life, and we must strike at the very core of criminal street gangs who have terrorized and intimidated good people for far too long, in Trenton and around the State.
“As a community united, we can and must make sure that such senseless acts of violence are no longer tolerated, and that we do everything we can to keep our kids safe.”