NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Pink balloons filled the sky over Deaza "Didi" Barkley's home in Brooklyn as family and friends gathered on Tuesday night to remember the 17-year-old, who was tragically shot and killed over the weekend.
Didi, known for her bubbly personality and contagious energy, was passionate about raising awareness against gun violence, the very thing that took her life.
"To lose her to the very thing she wanted to bring awareness to is like a triple heartbreak," her mother, Crystal Barkley, told 1010 WINS.
Crystal described her daughter as a loving sister who cherished her family.
"She adored her sisters. She adored her little brother. The light of her day in my house was her running through the house hugging people."
Didi was shot in the head and later died from her injuries, leaving behind devastated loved ones who say she had big dreams of joining the Air Force and going to college.
A teen boy was charged with manslaughter for Didi's death over the weekend, police said.
The 16-year-old was officially arrested on Feb. 16 and was charged with manslaughter and gun possession, authorities said. The NYPD does not release the identities of minors charged with crimes.
Police responded to 87-25 Clover Place in Holliswood in Jamaica just before 5:15 p.m. on Saturday and discovered Didi with a gunshot wound to her head.
Family and friends gathered on fEB. 18, 2025, to remember Deaza "Didi" Barkley, the 17-year-old, who was tragically shot and killed.Mary-Lyn Buckley
Medics rushed her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
The suspect was first taken into custody when officers arrived at the scene, and a gun was recovered.
Police said that the shooting was accidental.
It was not immediately clear who owns the gun.
