A 14-year-old boy was shot in broad daylight Friday in the Allerton section of the Bronx, and police say they now know who pulled the trigger. The teen was hit in the left leg and grazed in the right, then rushed to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where he is expected to recover. Witnesses told officers the gunman took off running southbound on Cruger Avenue after the shots rang out.
What police say
The NYPD has released surveillance images and video and identified the suspected shooter as 55-year-old Roderick Allen. Investigators say the gunfire erupted around 3:50 p.m. near Cruger and Burke avenues, catching the teen in the crossfire. Police said the 14-year-old was struck in the left leg and grazed in the right before paramedics rushed him to Jacobi, and that Allen bolted south on Cruger.
According to News12 New York, Allen was last seen wearing black shorts, a white tank top, black sneakers and a black hat. Detectives were canvassing nearby businesses and combing through security footage in hopes of finding additional witnesses and angles on the shooting.
Allerton's recent violence
The daytime shooting is the latest in a run of incidents that have rattled residents along the Pelham Parkway corridor and nearby commercial strips. A May case in which a buyer-seller meetup turned violent, detailed in teen lured to Allerton clothing deal, underscored how quickly routine interactions can spiral.
Other local reporting has highlighted how fast calls to 911 and private video footage often help detectives zero in on suspects. Neighbors say they are pushing for more visible patrols and stronger camera coverage in the spots where people shop, commute and hang out.
How to help
Police are asking anyone with tips, video or photos from the area around Cruger and Burke avenues to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The department has circulated still images and surveillance clips and is urging the public to check phones and doorbell cameras for anything that could help, as reported by News12 New York. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may qualify for a Crime Stoppers reward.
