A year ago this week, teenager Keith Salgado was shot and killed in a courtyard at Campos Plaza, the East 12th Street housing project. This past weekend, friends and family gathered in a community garden three blocks away from the crime scene to remember Keith and to urge other young people to steer clear of trouble.
They lit candles in his memory, shared stories and talked about the troubling events of the past year. Aida Salgado, Keith’s mom, said her emotions are still raw and she is only now coming to terms with the loss of her son. Hockeem Smith, who was charged in connection with Keith’s murder, faced another court date this week, but a trial is not imminent. Meanwhile, the violence at Campos Plaza has continued. Earlier this month, 24-year old David Cruz was shot in the leg in the latest incident tied to an ongoing feud among rival groups in the neighborhood’s public housing developments.
In the aftermath of Keith’s killing last year, elected officials promised to push the New York City Housing Authority to install security cameras at Campos. It still hasn’t happened, although tenant leaders have been told the project will finally get underway next month.
