The mother of Bridgeport homicide victim Branda'ja Winston made her first public comments Monday, on the one-month anniversary of her daughter's death.

"To see her laying here with no covering, with all these people -- with the police, the detectives, ambulance -- it crushed me. I nearly passed out. I dropped my phone, I couldn't think anymore," said Tamekah Rudd, who spoke with News 12 at Stratford and Union Avenues, where the homicide took place.

Winston, 28 -- who worked at the Bridgeport Housing Authority -- was hit by a spray of bullets that police say left a second victim critically injured.

"My daughter was an innocent bystander, just going about her life -- and this tragedy should never have happened," Rudd said.

Police have not yet arrested a suspect in the killing, but say the case remains open and active.

Anyone who can help is asked to call (203) 576-TIPS.