A 17-year-old girl was shot and killed in her Schenectady home late Thursday night. Terry Stackhouse has the latest from Schenectady.
Police in Schenectady are investigating the city's latest homicide.
Medina Knowles, 17, was shot Thursday night at her apartment on Schenectady Street. Schenectady School District officials say she was a student at Schenectady High School. Investigators say no arrests have been made, and there's no word on suspects or a possible motive.
Friends of the victim say they were devastated to learn the young mother is dead.
“She wasn’t looking for trouble. She was never was the type of person that wanted trouble. She didn't,” said Fateima Reid, a friend of Knowles.
Reid says the 17-year-old was quiet and caring. She says the teen was trying to find a job and further her education.
“All she wanted was more for her son. She was trying to do better for him,” said Reid.
Officers were called to the scene shortly after 11:30 p.m. Lt. Mark McCracken of the Schenectady Police Department said, “Officers arrived on scene and found a deceased inside the apartment with what appears to be a gunshot wound to the head.”
Police say this is the second homicide in the neighborhood this year. Last summer, there were three separate shootings on Schenectady Street.
“It is really sad, and I don't feel safe,” said neighbor Jesus Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says residents are fed up with violent crime in the area. He and his 2-year-old daughter live in an apartment below where Knowles was killed.
“They left a child without his mother,” said Rodriquez.
Police say a number of people have been interviewed but no arrests have been made.
“She was going through trouble with the baby’s father, but all she wanted to do was right for that baby,” said Reid.
Investigators say an autopsy was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Knowles' family.