Brexialee Brexi A. Torres Ortiz was an 11-year-old sixth grader and class president at Blodgett Middle School when she was killed on January 16, 2023, in Syracuse, New York. Walking home from a corner store with a gallon of milk, she was struck by gunfire during what authorities described as a gang-related drive-by shooting near Oakwood Avenue and later died at a local hospital. A 19-year-old man believed to be the intended target was also shot and survived.

The Syracuse Police Department identified and arrested three suspects: 18-year-old Rasean Patterson, 20-year-old Dahviere Griswold, and 16-year-old Dekai Bridges, who was on furlough from a juvenile facility that day. All three were charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon. Dekai Bridges and Rasean Patterson accepted plea deals and in December 2023 were each sentenced to 25 years to life; Dahviere Griswold was convicted by a jury in June 2024 after choosing to go to trial.

Brexialee’s family attended the proceedings and described her as having a bright smile and positive spirit. What details about the shooting or its lead-up remain unclear to the public?