In an incident that unfolded in the Bronx, a 16-year-old girl, identified as Evette Jeffrey, was fatally shot and left unconscious and unresponsive with a wound to the head. The NYPD responded to the distressing scene near Home Street and Tinton Avenue yesterday afternoon, as reported by Gothamist. The emergency call came in at around 5:05 p.m., and despite being rushed to Lincoln Hospital, Jeffrey succumbed to her injuries.
According to sources, the unintended victim was riding her scooter near The Bronx Latin School building when gunshots erupted from a fight between two groups of teens and, although it was not immediately clear if the participants were students, Jeffrey was hit in the head by errant gunfire and immediately fell to the ground as she tried to seek refuge, as described by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in a brief by NBC New York.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, with the NYPD revealing that the suspect is a 14-year-old boy who had allegedly threatened his own mother with a gun, according to statements made by Mayor Eric Adams after his visit to the scene. Adams conveyed in a video statement that Jeffrey was "not the intended target" of the shooting and used this moment to encourage parents to be vigilant of the items their children bring home, as per reports by Gothamist.
Incidents occurring near schools and playgrounds—as noted by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, who expressed condolences to Jeffrey’s family and urged anyone with information to contact the NYPD—point to ongoing concerns about safety in areas commonly used by children and families, according to a sentiment shared by Gothamist.
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