Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey took his criticism of gun violence to social media Friday night, speaking directly to Pittsburghers via Twitter and Facebook livestreams the day after a 4-year-old girl was shot and killed in the city.

“There is no reason a 4-year-old should have been murdered,” said Gainey, who spoke in front of a gaggle of reporters from behind the mayor’s desk in the City-County Building, Downtown. “There’s no reason a 4-year-old should be gunned down in our city — period.”

Three people were hospitalized in connection with the double shooting Thursday night in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood, which the mayor calls home. On Friday, Pittsburgh police said the 4-year-old victim had died at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The girl’s mother also was shot.

A Pittsburgh Public Schools spokesperson identified the girl Friday as Kaari Thompson, a Pittsburgh Lincoln Early Childhood student. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity late Friday.

“Kaari will be remembered as a very loving child, always smiling and passing out hugs,” school spokesperson Ebony Pugh said in a statement. “She enjoyed playing in the classroom’s housekeeping section and making pretend food for everyone. She was very bright and an absolute joy to have in class. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”

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