8-Year-Old Girl Honored for Bravery After Gun Violence Incident

An 8-year-old girl from Manhattan, Fatow Keita, received recognition from the NYPD on Friday, nearly eight months after a traumatic experience involving a shooting incident. She was caught in the crossfire between two teenage gang members.

Fatow beamed with joy when she was presented with her very first bicycle, a thoughtful gift intended to support her love for Harlem research and black culture.

“Thank God. She’s with me. That’s the best award, right?” her mother, Fatoumata Keita, shared her relief and gratitude.

Fatow has shown remarkable recovery since the frightening event in Harlem last November, which shook the local community.

After the incident, she enjoyed some pizza with her family while managing to keep her glasses in place. She had suffered injuries to her stomach, diaphragm, and colon.

Officers Marta Sierepa and Joanna Vanegas from the 32nd district reflected on how they quickly sought medical assistance at the scene, especially since Vanegas brought 19 years of EMT experience.

“I thought, ‘Okay, this is really bad. If she’s calling me, this is serious,'” Vanegas recalled in an interview.

They did their best to calm Fatow by engaging her in light conversation, but soon realized she needed immediate transport to the hospital for emergency surgery.

“We kept urging, ‘Hurry the bus, hurry the bus,'” Vanegas remembered, emphasizing their urgency in caring for her.

The officers felt a rush of adrenaline during those tense moments, with Vanegas admitting it was daunting not just for Fatow, but for them as well.

The shooting was allegedly carried out by 17-year-old True Womack and 19-year-old Daniel Aidow, who fired nine shots intended for a rival gang member, inadvertently injuring Fatow. They later tried to dispose of their weapons and clothing, but were apprehended soon after the incident.

Currently, both suspects face multiple charges, including attempted murder and first-degree assault, while they remain in custody awaiting trial.

During a recent medal ceremony, Sierepa and Vanegas were honored with a “certificate of thanks,” while Fatow received her “Survivor Award.” The highlight of the event was when they surprised her with a brand-new white bicycle complete with training wheels and a basket.

When asked about receiving the bike, Fatow simply said it was “good,” and described her reunion with her rescuers as “amazing.”

Vanegas expressed her joy for Fatow, stating, “She deserves this bike and a lot more. I’m thrilled she has the chance to grow up without becoming just another statistic of gun violence.”

Reflecting on the experience, Sierepa mentioned that saving Fatow’s life has been one of the most gratifying moments in her career, adding, “I want to see who she becomes in ten years and what she accomplishes. Maybe one day, she’ll even consider becoming a police officer.”

The two officers are committed to staying in touch with Fatow, especially on her future birthdays.