Boy, 14, arrested for fatal gang-related shooting of 16-year-old bystander at Bronx school

On Tuesday, a 14-year-old boy was arrested by the police for the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old girl in the Bronx. The girl, Evette Jeffrey, was hit by a stray bullet during a fight between two rival gangs at Bronx Latin School. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended by law enforcement officials at around 10:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, approximately 18 hours after the tragic incident.

Reports indicate that Jeffrey was shot in the head while seeking refuge behind a brick wall at the school. The suspect allegedly fired three rounds into the crowd, with the shooting believed to be gang-related, as stated by NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Prior to the shooting, the suspect was involved in a physical altercation captured on surveillance footage, described by Kenny as an “old-school schoolyard fistfight.” The suspect was seen winning the fight before being attacked by another individual. Kenny mentioned that the second person was likely the intended target of the subsequent shooting that claimed Jeffrey’s life.

It was emphasized that Jeffrey was an innocent bystander not connected to the dispute. She was tragically struck by a bullet while trying to take cover during the incident. Following the shooting, she was rushed to Lincoln Hospital but was pronounced dead at 5:56 p.m.

The suspect was located near East 163rd Street and 952 Rev. James A. Polite Avenue the morning after the shooting, attempting to board a taxi. Upon realizing the police presence, the suspect tried to flee but was apprehended. Charges are pending against him.

The incident has sparked calls to end gun violence, with politicians expressing sorrow over the loss of life. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City and Rep. Ritchie Torres extended their condolences to Jeffrey’s family, emphasizing the need to prevent such tragedies in the future. Gun Violence Archive data shows that there have been over 5,000 gun-related deaths in the U.S. this year, including at least 344 teenagers aged 12 to 17.