J’can mother awarded US$9.6m in shooting death of daughter in New York
Published:Thursday | January 9, 2025 | 12:10 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
A federal judge in Westchester County, New York, has approved a US$9.6 million award to Nadine McKenzie, the mother of 13-year-old Shamoya McKenzie, who was fatally shot in a gang-related incident in Mount Vernon in 2016.
The award aims to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
According to the judgment, McKenzie is awarded:
• US$1,750,000 in compensatory damages against defendants David Hardy, Marquis Collier, Jermaine Hughley, and Sincere Savoy, jointly and severally.
• US$2,625,000 in punitive damages against David Hardy.
• US$1,750,000 in punitive damages against Marquis Collier.
• US$1,750,000 in punitive damages against Jermaine Hughley.
• US$1,750,000 in punitive damages against Sincere Savoy.
• Post-judgment interest pursuant to 28, USC in 1961, calculated from the date the Clerk of Court enters judgment until the date of payment.
The four men are currently serving lengthy prison sentences in connection with the killing of the innocent teen, which occurred on New Year’s Eve in 2016.
According to reports, Nadine McKenzie was driving with her daughter, a rising basketball star, when shooting broke out between rival gang members. A bullet struck the back windscreen of their car, hitting Shamoya in the head and killing her.
McKenzie filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the four men, which was recommended by a federal magistrate. She also filed a US$15 million wrongful death suit against the City of Mount Vernon, resulting in a confidential settlement.
In November last year, McKenzie expressed hope that the award would send a powerful message that perpetrators of such heinous crimes will be held accountable.
She stated, “You will not kill someone and get away with it.”
Shamoya, who aspired to play for the University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball Team and later in the WNBA, was posthumously honored by the university and the New York Knicks.
The Shamoya McKenzie Foundation, established in her memory, awards scholarships and recognises outstanding community leaders.
THE AWARD
McKenzie’s attorney, Stephen Drummond, noted that the award is the highest in Westchester’s history for a young person.
On November 12, 2024, following an inquest and damages hearing, Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause had recommended a total award of US$9,625,000, plus post-judgment interest, for Shamoya McKenzie’s conscious pain and suffering.
The recommendation included US$1,750,000 in compensatory damages and US$7,875,000 in punitive damages, distributed among the defendants.
The court had previously entered default judgment as to liability only against the four defendants – David Hardy, Marquis Collier, Jermaine Hughley, and Sincere Savoy – and referred the matter to Judge Krause for an inquest.