A late-night walk turned terrifying for a 21-year-old woman in the Melrose section of the Bronx on Thursday, when she was shot in the left leg while strolling along Prospect Avenue with friends.
Police were called to 654 Prospect Ave shortly after 11 p.m. Officers found the woman wounded and had her transported to Lincoln Hospital, where officials say she is expected to fully recover. By then, several storefronts on the block were wrapped in crime scene tape as detectives combed the area for clues and the gunman who pulled the trigger.
According to News12, investigators believe an unidentified man standing across the street opened fire on the group, striking the 21-year-old in the leg. Detectives told reporters they were reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras and talking with local businesses and neighbors as part of the ongoing investigation. As of Friday morning, police had not announced any arrests.
Surveillance Captures The Moment
News12 released still images from security cameras that reportedly show the instant the shots rang out. Investigators said the shooter "was last seen wearing all black," and those frames are now a key part of efforts to figure out who he is. Officers say the gunman ran off on foot after the attack.
Detectives are also asking anyone who may have recorded the incident on a cellphone to hold on to that footage and share it directly with officers, rather than posting it online where it can be harder for investigators to verify and preserve.
Another Shooting On A Tense Block
This latest shooting comes on the heels of other recent gun incidents on Prospect Avenue and nearby Melrose streets, a pattern that has already triggered Crime Stoppers alerts and intense door-to-door canvassing. Previous coverage of the area, including a case where gunfire erupts on Prospect Ave, highlights how heavily detectives lean on surveillance stills and anonymous tip lines to build leads.
Community leaders and officers have been repeating the same message to residents in the neighborhood: do not confront anyone you think might be involved, and instead share any video, photos, or tips with police.
How To Help Investigators
Anyone with information or video that could help the case is urged to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers. Tips can be sent online or by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (English) or 1-888-57-PISTA (Spanish), as detailed in the NYPD's Crime Stoppers guidance. Tipsters can also text 274637 (CRIMES) and include the code TIP577, or use the department's anonymous online form.
The NYPD says the investigation is very much active and is urging anyone who was in the area Thursday night and saw or heard anything unusual to come forward. This story will be updated if police release additional details.
