A vigil was held for Enriqueta Rivera, grandmother killed by a stray bullet in the Bronx

NEW YORK — A vigil was held Saturday for a grandmother who was killed by a stray bullet while crossing a street in the Bronx.

She is one of many innocent bystanders shot in the neighborhood this week.

A number of anti-violence organizations joined forces to call for peace as they commemorated 71-year-old Enriqueta Rivera at the corner of East 138th Street and Brook Avenue, where she was shot Thursday.

Emotions were high as her children and grandchildren prayed and honored her memory.

Police continue to investigate a number of shootings in the Bronx this week that injured eight people, including six innocent bystanders, including Rivera and an 8-year-old boy who is still recovering in the hospital.

Police suspect several of this week’s shootings are connected and may be gang-related.

Among those at Saturday’s vigil was the second-grader’s mother, who says the violence must stop.

While calling for justice, Rivera’s eldest daughter had a message for the gunman.

“She was a beautiful woman. She didn’t deserve it, she didn’t deserve to die like that. On the streets she loved,” Magaly Gomez said.

“I also decided to come and support this family because it’s actually still close to home. It’s right around the corner where my baby was shot. This is around the same time my baby got off the bus as well as that lady was walking to the grocery store,” said the mother of the 8-year-old shooting victim.

The boy’s mother says he is expected to leave the hospital on Sunday.

Sadly, Rivera’s family will be planning her funeral.

An arrest was made in the shooting that injured the 8-year-old. Police are still searching for the gunman wanted in Rivera’s death.