On a late afternoon in Niagara Falls, New York, what began as a drive for 18-year-old McKenzie Munt turned into a tragedy. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 26, 2023, while driving on 19th Street, McKenzie was struck by a gunshot to her head. The catastrophic injury caused her to lose control of her vehicle, leading to a collision with another car near the intersection of 19th and Falls streets.
The driver of the other vehicle sustained only minor injuries and was subsequently treated and released.
Emergency services transported McKenzie, a female member of the Onondaga Eel Clan and a resident of the Tuscarora Indian Reservation, to Erie County Medical Center in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her injuries three days later, on June 29, 2023. The incident was the seventh homicide in the city of Niagara Falls in the first seven months of that year. McKenzie had recently graduated from the Harriet Tubman Residential Center in Auburn and was remembered for her infectious laugh and energetic personality. Her interests were varied and creative, including hair and makeup, crocheting, journaling, and writing poetry.
In the wake of her death, McKenzie's family has been persistent in their search for answers and justice. They have placed banners in the area of the shooting and other high-traffic locations to bring awareness to her case and encourage anyone with information to come forward. The Niagara Falls Police Department's detectives are continuing to investigate the homicide and have appealed to the public for assistance. As of the months following the incident, no arrests had been made in connection with her death, leaving a community and a grieving family waiting for resolution. Authorities have asked that anyone who witnessed the incident or has any other information contact the Niagara Falls Police Department's criminal investigation division at 716-286-4553 or the general information number at 716-286-4711.
