SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Police Department has arrested a man in connection to a shooting that killed a 9-year-old girl during a violent weekend in early October.
Police have charged Laise Hands, 21, with murder and attempted murder, both felonies for the drive-by shooting that took the life of 9-year-old Makaylah Brent as she played at Mama Marks Park in North Sacramento.
A woman and a 6-year-old child were also injured in the shooting. The woman's condition was last reported as critical while the child was described as stable.
"I wish I had more time with my baby," said Amber Leslie Brent, who was at the memorial.
Makaylah was Amber Brent’s oldest granddaughter. Amber said she’s always tried to prepare her children and grandchildren for anything life could throw at them.
"Because we live in a violent community and violent times, I teach my grandkids if they hear shots, to get down," Amber explained. "I don’t care how far or how close they sound, just get down."
Amber was not at the park when her granddaughter was shot, but said her other granddaughter, who was playing tag with Makaylah when they were shot at, is still coming to terms with the loss of her cousin.
"She said, ‘We heard the shots and we both got down like you told us to,’" Amber said, explaining what her granddaughter recounted to her. "And she said, ‘I told Makaylah I thought I was shot,’ and then she said Makaylah never spoke back."
Police say the investigation remains active.