A vigil was held Monday night for the young Correction Officer shot to death in Brooklyn, as police continue their search for her killer. NY1's Lori Chung has the story.
With lit candles and heavy hearts, hundreds gathered to pray with the family of Alastasia Bryan.
Huddled in her honor at East 73rd Street and Avenue l where the young, off-duty correction officer was gunned down the night before.
"Known her since she was a tyke, like a little little baby always had a sweet heart," said one family friend. "Just a tragic thing to happen to such a special person."
Police say the 25-year-old was shot several times in the head and torso as she sat in her car making a phone call Sunday night — ambushed by a gunman after she left her mother's house.
"He fired 5 rounds into the car, striking her and killing her," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce. "This male then got into a car and then drove away"
Bryan had just begun her career with the correction department a month ago — assigned to a post at Rikers Island.
"She always wanted to serve and do whatever it is she has to do for the people around her and people she doesn’t even know," said cousin, Colleen Yearwood.
"Already, we already knew from her being in AMKC in the jail in Riker's Island that she was going to be one of our shining stars," said Elias Husamudeen, president of the Correction Officer Benevolent Association.
Her loss felt among many of the city's boldest that are calling for justice.
"We want you to keep NYC correction officers in your prayers because every day we go out and we fight," Husamudeen said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement calling Bryan a rising member of the Correction Department and also pledging that the NYPD will aggressively investigate this case.