Slain Hartford Girl's Aunt: Se'Cret 'Big On Loyalty And Love'

HARTFORD, CT — The family of a 12-year-old girl shot and killed in Hartford last week has created a GoFundMe page to help the family deal with the loss.

On Thursday night, Se'Cret Pierce was shot and killed while in a parked car, the victim of a drive-by shooting on Huntington Street, in which she was apparently caught in crossfire, according to Hartford police. She died Friday morning.

The investigation into the shooting, which also wounded three young men, continues as police seek the vehicle that sped away.

Meanwhile, the girl's family — led by Hartford resident Khaya Judkins, Se'Cret's aunt — has started a GoFundMe page seeking a total of $10,000 to help the family deal with unexpected expenses associated with her death.

As of Monday morning, the campaign had raised $5,738 toward the goal.

Judkins said her niece "was a strong personality who made a huge impact on everyone she came across," reads her GoFundMe posting.

"She was big on loyalty and love. She was the youngest of the bunch and was loved unconditionally from her whole family," she wrote.

Judkins said her niece leaves behind her mother, a younger sister and a brother.

"This has left the whole city in shock," wrote Judkins. "She was just a child enjoying life and it was taken from her too soon."

Friday, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin emotionally paid tribute to Se'Cret as did the city's school chief.

He said it was a "painful day in our community."

Se'Cret's murder was the seventh homicide in 2023 and comes as the city, and the nation in general, copes with a wave of gun violence that has permeated society in recent years.

To donate to the GoFundMe page to help Se'Cret Pierce's family, click on this link.

From April 21: 'Hartford Girl's Shooting Death A 'Painful Day For Our City:' Mayor'