MORRISANIA, The Bronx — Tragedy struck in the Bronx on Monday when a 16-year-old girl was fatally shot near Bronx Latin High School, authorities said. Evette Jeffrey, reportedly an innocent bystander, suffered a gunshot wound to the head during an altercation involving a group of teenagers just before 5 p.m.
The shooting occurred in an alley adjacent to the school, located at 800 Home St. Surveillance footage captured moments leading up to the incident, showing students leaving the schoolyard when a fight broke out among several youths. In the video, a 14-year-old boy, identified as a person of interest by police, was seen being punched in the face and subsequently receiving a firearm. He then fired into the crowd, hitting Jeffrey as she attempted to seek safety.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that Jeffrey was on a scooter and had not engaged in the fight. As other students ran away in panic, she fell to the ground, struck by the gunfire. Emergency responders arrived within minutes but could not save her.
Community members expressed their heartbreak over the incident. A woman on the scene recounted seeing Jeffrey being administered CPR, describing the moment as devastating. Witnesses reported Jeffrey’s mother collapsing in sorrow upon realizing the tragedy that had unfolded. Emotional responses echoed among concerned parents in the area. Mayor Eric Adams expressed his sorrow, stating, “This destroys us” while addressing the gathering crowd.
Leaders from the community, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, visited Lincoln Hospital where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. Gibson highlighted the anguish of a mother receiving the worst possible news, emphasizing the impact such violence has on families and communities.
The shooting has raised alarms among local residents, with many expressing frustration over the rising violence involving youth. Frank Dunn, a neighbor, shared his immediate concerns by alerting his own teenagers as soon as he heard gunfire. He urged other parents to remain vigilant about their children’s activities, lamenting a growing disconnect between parents and their kids.
Jeffrey, who had recently celebrated her 16th birthday, attended a nearby high school and was viewed as a promising student. As the investigation continues, police are seeking to apprehend the 14-year-old boy suspected of the shooting, and they are looking into how he gained access to the firearm.
The surge in youth violence in the Bronx is alarming, with a significant increase in shootings involving minors reported in recent years. Local officials and community advocates are increasingly calling for actionable steps to address the trend, emphasizing the urgent need to protect the lives of young people amidst rising gun violence.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that young people face, and the community is left grappling with yet another loss due to senseless gun violence.