Calling for a stop to the extreme violence in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A crowd gathered at Cornerstone Church in Downtown Fresno prayed for comfort for a young girl's family as they cope with her murder while the suspects are still out there.

More than a week after nine-year-old Janessa Ramirez died her mother shared the last painful moments she spent with her daughter on the night of the shooting.

"Janessa thought they were fireworks so she looked around and said," It's not fourth of July mommy, what are they doing?" said Stacey Ramirez. "She just fell to the ground and she started yelling out to me, mommy mommy my back is hurting, mommy mommy my stomach is on fire."

Investigators aren't releasing surveillance video which captured evidence during the drive-by shooting. Chief Jerry Dyer told the Ramirez family his detectives will find those responsible.

"It is my commitment, my promise to you. We will make arrests very, very soon and I look forward to being able to stand next to Stacey and to deliver that message to our community," said Chief Dyer.

Stacey Ramirez says she won't rest until she raises awareness about the dangers of gang violence. She said, "It needs to stop. It's like they say it's always an innocent person. There's shouldn't be more innocent people being hurt so I just wish they would stop."

She and local pastors are inviting people in the community to join them on weekly night walks throughout the city to reach out to young people at risk of joining gangs.

Police say the tips coming into the department are helping narrow down the search for the little girl's killers. The reward for tips or information about the suspects involved has now grown to $25,000.