‘A profound tragedy’: Teens sentenced in Bronx for killing 11-year-old Kyhara Tay with stray bullet during shootout
The family of Kyhara Tay heads to Bronx Criminal Court on April 23, 2025 for the sentencing of two teens who pleaded guilty to killing her during a shootout.
Photo by Dean Moses
The young killers who admitted to killing 11-year-old Kyhara Tay on a Bronx street during a 2022 shootout appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon to face sentencing — and the victim’s grief-stricken family.
Matthew Godwin, who was 15 at the time of the slaying, pleaded guilty to firing the fatal shots that spring afternoon on May 16 while then 18-year-old Omar Bojang admitted to driving the scooter from which Godwin fired the fatal bullet.
The pair intended to shoot a 13-year-old boy but struck Tay in their pursuit. She died a short time later, plunging her family into mourning. More than two years later, the anguish remains, according to the girl’s mother.
“This pain has brought us anger, restless nights, anxiety and depression,” Yahisha Gomez told the court with tears streaming down her face. “You denied her the opportunity to graduate, to fall in love, to live life — they took away all of her dreams.”
Gomez fell into the arms of Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark after she pleaded for justice during the proceeding.
Meanwhile, Godwin’s attorney argued that he has been remorseful for the killing and has been attempting to better his life by attempting to obtain his GED while incarcerated in a juvenile system.
“Dear family of Kyhara Tay, I am so sorry for what I have done and the pain I have caused you. I’m also very disappointed in myself and I take full responsibility,” Godwin said. “I never intended to hurt your little girl. I’m so sorry I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me.”
Godwin was ultimately sentenced him to 10 years to life behind bars, though his sentencing would be delayed until he achieved his GED this spring. This left both family members and the DA shaking their heads.
Bojang also expressed remorse for the killing.
“I’m sincerely sorry. The loss and the pain that I caused to families, unimaginable and relentless. I just want to pay my dues to society,” Bojang said.
However, Judge Joseph McCormack was not as moved in Bojang’s case. Due to a litany of past offenses, including a 2020 shooting, the judge scorned Bojang for refusing to speak with a probationary officer, which was part of his 15 years to life plea deal. The judge delayed sentencing, giving the young man one final chance to speak with the officer or face an even greater sentence.
“That’s a matter for the judge to decide whether or not to grant that opportunity. You know, he’s a young man. He just decided to grant him the opportunity, I hope he takes it because if not, the judge does have the power to sentence him to something more,” DA Clark said.
Clark went on to underscore the importance of the case and the impact it has had on the family.
“An innocent girl didn’t get a chance to grow up because she was shot dead on a spring afternoon,” Clark said. “Her death is a profound tragedy, especially considering the ages of everyone involved.”
The district attorney lauded Tay’s family for turning “their pain into purpose” by advocating against gun violence.
“Today’s sentence is the culmination of justice, but this is not the final chapter of Kyhara’s life story. Her family turned their pain into purpose by speaking out against gun violence. Through their voice, Kyhara’s legacy will live on,” Clark added.
