Updated 07/25/2012 11:49 PM
Teen Charged With Murder Of Bronx 4-Year-Old
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
A teenager was arraigned Wednesday on murder and attempted murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a 4-year-old Sunday night. NY1's Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.17-year-old Rondell Pinkerton faced a judge Wednesday, three days after prosecutors allege he shot and killed a 4-year-old boy.
The Bronx DA's office said Pinkerton admitted to police that he fired a .45 caliber handgun.
In a confession, police said he told them he was handed the gun Sunday night as he walked towards the basketball courts at the Forest Houses. He claims 26-year-old Courtney Kelly shot at him, so he returned fire.
The criminal complaint alleges Pinkerton shot Kelly in the body, shot another person in the arm and killed 4-year-old Lloyd Morgan.
Morgan, who was in the public park in Morissania at the time, died from a bullet wound to the head.
What's your reaction to the arrests made in connection with the fatal shooting of 4-year-old Lloyd Morgan? Is it too soon after the Aurora shooting massacre to be talking about reforming the nation's gun laws? Read New Yorkers' thoughts.
Now, friends, family and neighbors are lighting candles and leaving tributes to the child.
"It's really sad and unnecessary," said one person. "I can't grasp the concept behind it."
Even those who don't know anyone involved are moved.
"Because he was so young, because it was so senseless, it hurts me," said one person.
"I don't feel safe in the park no more," said another. "My grandkids are not going to the park as long as I live. I'd rather them play upstairs and make a mess and still live than to die a tragic death any kind of way. 'Cause a bullet has no name."
The tragic death of Lloyd Morgan actually came while area residents were honoring the victim of another violent killing with a basketball tournament.
Troynisha Harris was stabbed to death in Morrisania two years ago and sources tell NY1 the second suspect in this case, Courtney Kelly was the organizer of the tournament. The 18-year-old stabbing victim was his sister.
Kelly, now hospitalized, faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon.