Johni Dunia
Age 17
Cohoes, New York
Left Congo for a safer life
Before he left for school, he gave his mom the piece of paper. “Congratulations,” she said. Maybe they smiled: Eight years ago, he and his family had moved to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. A good report card was a ticket to the future.
A high school junior, he was smart and caring. His parents thought he was safe from the war and violence they had left behind.
On Nov. 16, 2018, Johni Dunia, 17, was shot multiple times on the Mohawk-Hudson bike path in Cohoes, New York. The suspect pleaded not guilty.
