A vigil was held on Wednesday night in front of the In The City Tapas Bar and Lounge to mourn the death of Brianna Destiny McKoy, a 23-year-old who was killed in front of her infant son last week. The event was attended by family members and friends of McKoy, also known as “Bri Balenciaga“, who had recently started working at the abovementioned establishment.
On April 6, McKoy was found shot dead in the Coachlight Square condominium complex, with an infant in the home who was unharmed. The Bridgeport police are currently conducting a manhunt for Derrick Francis, 41, who they believe was dating McKoy and is responsible for her killing. McKoy’s father, Ricky Trooper, a popular Jamaican entertainment figure, expressed his grief on Instagram.
At the vigil, at least 40 persons lit candles on Fairfield Avenue in front of a screen displaying photos of McKoy within a heart. Brittany Harris, McKoy’s cousin, described her as having a reserved personality, despite working as a bottle server. She said McKoy’s death “doesn’t seem real” and will be difficult to accept. Harris urged everyone to keep McKoy’s memory alive, to think about the good times they shared with her, and to keep her family in their prayers.
McKoy’s mother, Camille Prince, was also in attendance at the vigil and was seen crying as the crowd shouted, “I love you Bri,” and released dozens of pink and blue balloons into the night sky. After the event, a fundraiser was held to support McKoy’s family, and a GoFundMe page has been created to help support McKoy’s child, Zander.
The tragic death of Brianna Destiny McKoy has left her family and friends in mourning, and the entire community has been deeply affected by this senseless act of violence. As the search for her killer continues, those who knew McKoy are holding on to the memories they shared with her and are determined to keep her memory alive.
