Emery Mizell – the oldest of four siblings – was fatally knifed in the chest around 2:15 p.m. Thursday on Boynton Avenue near Watson Avenue in the Soundview neighborhood, police said.
Her alleged attacker, a 15-year-old girl, was quickly taken into custody and charged with murder, manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon, cops said. Her name was not released because she is a minor.
The tragic and senseless slaying has devastated Emery’s loved ones, who gathered outside her Evergreen Avenue apartment building Friday for an emotional memorial.
“She was there for me when no one was there all the time. She gave me advice all the time when I needed it,” Emery’s heartbroken 13-year-old sister Gianna told The Post.
Gianna, who tragically became the oldest sibling overnight, fondly recalled her “good big sister” with whom she liked to dance and sing with as she tried to process her sudden loss.
“I don’t know how I feel right now. I have mixed emotions right now. At one point, I’m crying. The next minute I’m like, I don’t know. Every time I go through my camera I see her,” said Gianna.
Emery’s family said they were told the 15-year-old suspect went to James Monroe High School with Emery, but were not sure of the nature of their relationship.
According to police, Emery and her alleged killer were involved in an ongoing dispute.
The victim had been bombarded with harassment on social media prior to the slaying, police sources said.
Latanya Mizell, Emery’s second cousin, said she wasn’t aware of the apparent social media bullying, but said that, if true, it would only add to the tragedy.
“These are kids, both of them. They both lost their lives. That right there is hurtful enough as a whole because we got to be better with our kids,” said Latanya.
“They shouldn’t be fighting because somebody said this about that person. It’s stupid stuff. It’s not worth taking somebody’s life,” Latanya said, adding that despite the suspect being a child, she wants to see the teen be prosecuted.
“I really just wish I could hold my cousin again.”
Meanwhile, Gianna said she’s already felt the stress of stepping into Emery’s shoes. The pair shared two younger siblings, as well as a step-sibling on their mother’s side.
“I feel like it’s going to be hard for me because I’m going to have to watch all these siblings by myself. They’re still babies.”
Little Toni, 8, and Josiah, 6, both seemed stunned at the memorial, with neither fully coming to grips with the reality that Emery was brutally murdered in the broad daylight attack.
“She was a good girl. I love her. I want her to come back,” Toni said.
“She was good. Strong. I miss her so much. I want to tell her that, ‘I love you, please be safe, and I love you so much,’” said Josiah.
Emery, who would have turned 18 in October, was just one month short of graduating and was looking forward to her senior prom, her family said.
A woman who said she was Emery’s relative shared a heartbreaking post with several photos of the slain girl on Facebook Friday morning.
“Emmy, I love you so much baby. We’re all gonna miss you,” she wrote.
“You were a beautiful soul with so much life ahead of you, I know you are in the best of hands now. I’d do anything for the chance to hug you and tell you I love you again. Sleep in peace our sweet angel.”
The violence came about two months after Laquai Dash, 17, also of the Bronx, was fatally shot when he got wrapped up in a social media spat between his girlfriend and another female, police and the young victim’s family said at the time.
Dash, a young football player who was looking forward to traveling to Spain on a senior class trip, was shot by the other girl’s boyfriend, according to his family.