Two innocent pedestrians were tragically shot in the Bronx on Tuesday, just one day after a teenager was killed in gang-related violence, underscoring the ongoing issue of gun crime in the area.
According to police, the incident occurred around 4:45 PM when two gunmen approached the corner of East 163rd Street and Washington Avenue in Melrose and began firing.
Unfortunately, instead of targeting intended victims, the gunfire struck individuals in a passing vehicle, one of whom was an 11-year-old boy.
As reported, the boy suffered injuries from shattered glass, while a 20-year-old man driving the car was shot in the shoulder. Fortunately, both were taken to Lincoln Hospital, where the driver was reported as stable and his injuries were not life-threatening.
The boy was also treated for minor wounds at the same hospital.
After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene on a city bike, as authorities confirmed. The victim’s vehicle was left riddled with bullets; photographs from the scene showcased the damage, including a bullet hole in the rear window and another car nearby with nearly all its rear windows shattered.
As of late Tuesday, no arrests had been made, and the investigation remained active, according to police.
This latest incident of gun violence comes just around the corner from a schoolyard where 16-year-old Evett Jeffrey was shot in the head the previous evening while riding a scooter. Eyewitness reports indicate that Evett was celebrating an anniversary with her boyfriend when she was caught in a disagreement stemming from a boxing match between rival groups.
A 14-year-old was arrested shortly after a separate fatal shooting early Tuesday, which was also linked back to gang activities. Investigators are reportedly on the lookout for another suspected accomplice, a 12-year-old, who is believed to have supplied a weapon.
Sources indicate that the unrest is believed to involve two rival street gangs operating in the area, particularly stemming from a recent altercation.
While authorities have not conclusively linked the shootings, they are exploring whether the Tuesday incident was gang-related.
The Bronx continues to grapple with ongoing gun violence that has recently seen numerous innocent lives lost due to stray bullets. Not long ago, in late April, two unsuspecting bystanders were shot in separate incidents, including Exenia Mette, a well-known bodega owner, who was fatally shot while checking on her grandson.
