A gang member accused of shooting and killing a Mount Vernon teen on New Year's
Eve almost four years ago pleaded guilty in
federal court this morning.
David Hardy appear virtually
today at the White Plains Federal Courthouse and accepted a plea deal to serve
between 40 years to life in federal prison for the killing.
He pleaded guilty to murder and an
unrelated weapons charge.
Hardy admitted to shooting Shamoya
McKenzie in the head on New Year's Eve 2016 while he was attempted to kill a
rival gang member.
The 13-year-old star basketball player was an innocent bystander in the car
with her mom at the time.
Hardy was originally arrested
on state charges, but the feds took over as part of a larger gang-related case.
He and 11 other gang members
faced additional racketeering and conspiracy charges for their alleged gang
activity, including a different murder in 2014.
McKenzie’s mother spoke with News
12 after the Hardy’s plea. "It's
a long day coming, too long, over almost four years and finally this happened
so we're glad this came to closure now," says Nadine McKenzie.
Three other defendants have previously pleaded
guilty in playing a role in McKenzie's death.
Hardy's sentencing is scheduled for January 2021.