Mother of 4-year-old killed in Pittsburgh shooting dies in hospital, grieving family speaks out

PITTSBURGH — “Kaari was the sweetest kid. All she ever did was laugh and smile and tell everyone, ‘I want to hug you,’” Dana Mitchell, Kamari’s grandmother told Channel 11.

Between the tears and heartbreak over the last few days, Dana Mitchell keeps reliving the memories of her 4-year-old granddaughter, Kaari Thompson.

“She was so happy. She had started school,” she said.

Kaari and her mom, Temani Lewis were both killed by gunfire at the intersection of Lincoln and Lemington Avenues last week.

There’s now a memorial where the mom and daughter were shot.

Kaari died shortly after the shooting, and Temani died late last night, after she had been in critical condition.

“Even though she and my son weren’t together anymore, she made sure we were able to be part of Kaari’s life,” Dana said

Kaari’s dad is incarcerated, and Dana had to be the one to tell her son that his little girl, and mother of his child, were dead.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. He cried, and he cried, and he cried,” she said.

The day Kaari was killed, Dana said she spent it with her family.

“She was with my husband and my kids a half-hour before this happened. A half-hour. They had just left. My son gave her money to go to the store,” she added

Near that store is where Kaari and her mom were shot and killed.

“I hope they catch you. I hope they catch you, put you in jail, so you can suffer every day for the rest of your life,” Dana saidz

Police have not released a motive in the shooting, but as Channel 11 reported, Temani was on out on bond for attempted homicide charges.

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