On April 8, 2006, 14-year-old Danielle Baker was shot and killed while attending a friend’s sweet 16 party in Amityville, Long Island. An honors student and captain of her cheerleading squad, she was dancing with friends when a single gunshot struck her; she died in the arms of her younger sister.

Earlier that evening, a group of young men had been asked to leave the party. One of them, 19-year-old Terrell Gray, reportedly returned and fired a 9mm handgun into the second-floor room where the celebration was taking place. Eyewitnesses and video surveillance reportedly showed Gray pulling his hood over his head before brandishing the weapon, and he was identified and arrested in connection with the shooting.

Danielle’s family, including her father and grandmother, were active through the investigation and subsequent legal process. The killing prompted community concern about youth and gang violence and led local law enforcement to pursue initiatives aimed at removing illegal handguns from the streets.

If anyone was at that party or has information about the night Danielle was killed, please share what is known.