A beloved Harlem grandmother's life was tragically cut short when she was struck by a stray bullet during a shootout. Excenia Mette, a 61-year-old Black female, was a cherished community figure, known affectionately as 'Momma Zee.' On the evening of April 22, 2025, hearing gunfire erupt near her home on Lenox Avenue, she rushed outside to ensure her grandson was safe. In a devastating turn of events, she was caught in the crossfire and fatally wounded by a gunshot to the head.
Emergency services transported her to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m. near West 113th Street and Lenox Avenue, stemming from a dispute that escalated into a gunfight. Mette, a pioneering local business owner who had established one of the first Black woman-owned bodegas in Harlem, was an unintended victim of this senseless violence. Her death sent shockwaves through the community, where she was remembered as a pillar of strength and a dedicated advocate for her neighbors. A vigil was held in her honor, with many gathering to mourn the loss of a woman who had touched so many lives.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the New York Police Department launched an investigation that led to the identification and arrest of suspects. One of the individuals involved in the shootout, 23-year-old Darious Smith, was found at the scene with a gunshot wound to his foot. He was taken into custody and subsequently charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Police believe he was one of the intended targets in the dispute.
A second suspect, 23-year-old Ricky Shelby, surrendered to police on April 28, 2025. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon. Authorities believe Shelby fired the shot that tragically killed Excenia Mette. In June 2025, a grand jury indicted Shelby on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The case against both men is proceeding through the legal system as the community continues to grieve the loss of a cherished matriarch.
