Newark Mom Pens Touching Letter To Cops After Son Is Shot

NEWARK, NJ — When her six-year-old son was shot in Newark a few days after Independence Day last year, Kyna Benjamin was convinced that her choice to move to New Jersey’s largest city from New York was one of the worst she’d ever made. But the love that she saw from her community after that horrifying experience convinced her to stay. And now, the single mother of four is offering her thanks to the people who are helping her to move forward from that dark day into a bright future.

Benjamin’s son, Nicholas, was shot along with two adult males in the area of Central Avenue and 3rd Street on July 8. The “act of senseless violence” could easily have cost his life, Newark police said.

Authorities have since offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the shooting. Anyone with information about the incident can call the Newark Police Department’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at: www.newarkpdonline.org.

Recovering after a near-tragedy can be difficult, especially for a single parent with four children, one of whom has special needs. And when you’re on welfare and struggling to make ends meet, the task becomes gargantuan.

Benjamin recently wrote a letter to Newark Public Safety Department (NPSD), explaining how difficult the immediate aftermath of the shooting was for her family.

“After Nicholas was shot last year, we were all shocked and discouraged because violence was not familiar to me or any other member of my family,” she said. “I was so afraid for my kids and disappointed with my choice to move to Newark that I considered moving back to New York.”

But thankfully, people with big hearts are behind every corner in Newark.

One of the first to offer Benjamin and her family aid was NPSD Director Anthony Ambrose, who was so touched by their situation that he made it a personal goal to reach out.

“I cannot imagine the anguish of this mother, who had to endure the unthinkable in an act of senseless violence that could have cost the life of her son,” Ambrose said. “And while certain services are extended to all victims of violent crime, my heart went out to this family because of the extraordinary needs it faces, and I did what I could to help.”

• See related article: What Happens To Newark Kids After A Traumatic Event?

Two of the first goals were to help Benjamin find steady employment and get a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that she could use to get her family to doctor’s appointments. With this in mind, Ambrose helped the single mother land an interview for a part-time job at a local ShopRite, and authorized members of the Department of Public Safety to make personal donations towards assisting the family in obtaining a vehicle.

Those donations – which came out of officers’ pockets – eventually came to more than $1,000, which Benjamin said will give her a huge leg up in her quest obtain a driver’s license and find a car. With that mobility will come a huge increase in independence, she said.

“Being able to drive will certainly help me with getting to and from my disabled son’s medical appointments easier,” Benjamin said.

In addition, 1st Precinct Community Service Officer J. Bright also remained in touch with the Benjamins during and after Nicholas’ recovery and has personally assisted the family by providing rides to appointments and meeting other needs throughout the ordeal, Ambrose said.

But that’s not all. Benjamin may also have a potential job with the city waiting for her.

“I’m looking forward to and am grateful for the opportunity to obtain a job within the Public Safety Department,” she wrote to Ambrose. “Being employed will facilitate my pursuit towards gaining independence and providing a better life for my family. I am a single mother of four on welfare, and I am eager to move from this to a single mother of four with a great job.”

Benjamin added:

“I am sincerely and just so happy to have you all in my life, and I assure you that I will do my best to make valuable contributions to this good community whenever and wherever I am able to. Thanks again, and I wish you and your staff God’s richest blessings.”

• See related article: Essex County Man Refuses To Let Debt, Job Loss Get Him Down
• See related article: New Jersey Woman Rises From Tragedy To Become 'Symbol Of Hope'

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Photos: Newark Department of Public Safety

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