Authorities have reported that four individuals are facing serious charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old man and the injury of three others, including a 17-year-old girl. The two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, are facing multiple charges, such as murder, attempted murder, gang assault, and illegal possession of weapons, stemming from an incident near Haffen Park on Saturday.
Daeven Reyes, 20, and Robert Royal, 25, have also been charged with murder and attempted murder alongside weapons charges. Reyes is believed to be involved in additional gang-related assaults, according to law enforcement.
Police responded to the chaotic scene at the intersection of Berk Avenue and Wickham Avenue, where they discovered Jaceil Banks, 32, and Anthonaya Campbell, 17, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Campbell was later identified as having been shot in the chest.
Banks was pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital, while Campbell continues to fight for her life after sustaining severe injuries.
Three other victims, including a 30-year-old man shot in the back, a 29-year-old woman also injured in the back, and a 42-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his arm, were transported to the hospital privately and are reportedly in stable condition.
The mother of one of the victims, Jennifer Talbott, was celebrating her PhD graduation when she received the devastating news that her daughter had been struck by a stray bullet. Talbott reflected on her day, noting how it had turned from one of triumph to despair.
She shared how her daughter had been checking in on her throughout the ceremony, and she was at a post-graduation event when she learned of the tragedy. Upon arriving at the hospital, Talbott was heartbroken to see her daughter with severe injuries, including half of her head shaved and a bullet lodged in her eye.
Talbott described a moment of fear when doctors advised her that her daughter might not survive, but she expressed relief when she received news of a blood transfusion to aid in Anthonaya’s recovery.
Statistical reports from the NYPD reveal that District 4 has experienced a significant number of shootings this year, contradicting claims made by Mayor Eric Adams about a decline in gun violence in other areas. So far, there have been 21 shootings in the district, a rise from 14 the previous year, with murders increasing from 4 to 8.
The violence from Saturday night isn’t included in the current statistics. Sources indicate that the ShotSpotter system detected a total of 48 gunfire incidents in the vicinity.
Despite a citywide drop in shootings and murders by nearly 20%, Adams insisted that the recent violence does not warrant a curfew in the Bronx, but emphasized that police presence will be bolstered in critical areas.
Councilman Oswald Ferris echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for additional police in the Bronx to address the recent surge in shootings and pointing out the shocking nature of young victims being caught in the violence.
The data surrounding incidents from Saturday night is expected to shift these figures even further, as many believe the violence is tied to gang activity.
