A tragic incident unfolded in the Bronx on Monday when a 16-year-old girl, who was merely riding her scooter outside a school, was fatally shot in the head by a teenage boy. The incident occurred after a dispute among a group of youths escalated outside their school in Morrisania around 5 p.m. The victim, Evette Jeffrey, was not involved in the altercation.
Authorities are currently searching for a 14-year-old boy believed to be the shooter, who reportedly fired at least three shots. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch expressed her grief over the incident, stating, “Our city has suffered another senseless tragedy tonight. A 16-year-old girl playing in a school yard is now dead. And a 14-year-old is wanted in connection with her death.”
The altercation reportedly began outside the building at 800 Home Street, which houses three separate schools — the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, Bronx Latin, and the Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School. Security footage revealed a group of youths leaving the schoolyard and entering a walkway alongside the school building, where the fight broke out.
According to Commissioner Tisch, the footage shows one boy approaching another and punching him in the face, causing him to fall. Another boy then starts throwing punches at others in the crowd. The group then moves towards Union Avenue, where the boy who was initially knocked down runs towards his assailant and begins shooting.
The shooter fired three rounds into the crowd, striking Jeffrey, who was leaving the schoolyard on her scooter. Despite a friend’s attempt to shield her from the gunfire, Jeffrey was fatally wounded. She was rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Mayor Eric Adams, along with other city officials, visited the scene to offer their condolences. Adams emphasized the need for creating safe environments for young people and urged parents to be vigilant about what their children bring home. He also promised to increase patrols around schools.
As of late Monday, no arrests had been made and the investigation is ongoing. The identity of the school the suspect attended remains unclear. This incident marks the first murder in the 42nd Precinct this year, despite a significant decline in violent crime in the Bronx in the first quarter of the year.