Family of Kathina Thomas Given $5,000 from Local Philanthropist

(ALBANY)  Three weeks after Albany murder victim Kathina Thomas was buried her mother Shondell MacAllister emerged Tuesday for the first time.   

The grieving mother, a native of Guyana, met with philanthropist Rudy Ciccotti and the Ciccotti Family Recreation Center in Colonie where the 80 year old benefactor gave MacAllister a check for five thousand dollars.  That is half of the money Ciccotti donated for part of the reward fund offered for the arrest of Kathina's killer. 

Albany Police have not indicated anyone was to receive the reward so Ciccotti decided to give the money to the dead girl's family. 

Kathina was killed by a stray bullet allegedly fired by 15 year old suspect Jermayne Timmons who has stated to police he was shooting at another boy not Kathina.  The bullet travelled more than a block striking the ten year old girl while she played in front of her home..  

Her Mother told CBS 6 News she forgives the teenager and that if she could free him she would.  MacAllister went on to say he could be her own child.   Kathina's mother said she continues to hear gunfire at night in her West Hill neighbhorhood, and asked for help in moving her family away from the murder scene.