Zahira Smith was 16 when she was killed by gunfire in Rochester, New York, on the night of Saturday, June 4, 2022. She was attending a friend’s sweet sixteen party on Emerson Street when multiple shots came from a vacant lot across the street; some people at the party returned fire. Zahira was struck and died at the scene. An 18-year-old woman was also shot and survived. Police say neither victim was the intended target and describe the incident as gang-related violence; evidence at the scene indicated at least five different firearms were used.

Zahira’s family described her as a sweet girl who loved plants and music, enjoyed time with family, wanted to learn to drive and hoped to attend Spelman College to become a pediatrician. Her father had died when she was young and she had been raised by her family. Investigators reported strong leads but complained of witness noncooperation; as of a year after the shooting, no arrests had been made. If anyone knew Zahira or has information about the Emerson Street shooting, please come forward to help her family find answers.