Crime
16-year-old Evette Jeffrey Shot and Killed While Riding Scooter Outside Bronx School During Teen Brawl
BRONX, N.Y. — A 16-year-old girl was tragically shot and killed while riding her scooter outside a Bronx school on Monday afternoon, becoming an unintended victim of a violent altercation among teenage boys, according to police.
The victim, identified as Evette Jeffrey, was struck in the head by gunfire around 5 p.m. as she was leaving the schoolyard near 800 Home Street in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.
Authorities say she had no involvement in the altercation that led to the shooting.
According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the violence began when a group of teenagers exited the school grounds and began fighting in a walkway next to the school building, which houses three educational institutions: Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, Bronx Latin, and Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School.
Security footage captured the confrontation, which escalated from a fistfight into deadly violence. One teenage boy is seen punching another in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Another boy joins in, throwing punches at others in the group. As the altercation moved toward Union Avenue, the boy who had been knocked down allegedly retrieved a firearm—believed to have been passed to him by someone else—and opened fire, firing at least three shots into the crowd.
One of those bullets struck Jeffrey in the head as she rode her scooter away from the scene. Commissioner Tisch emphasized that Jeffrey was not part of the conflict and was simply an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows one of her friends attempting to shield her from the gunfire, pulling her toward a brick wall for cover. Despite the effort, she was fatally wounded.
“She is not engaged in the fight,” Tisch said. “She immediately falls to the ground while the other children run away for their lives.”
Jeffrey was rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Police are currently searching for a 14-year-old boy believed to be the shooter. As of Monday night, no arrests had been made. Investigators have not confirmed which school the suspect attends.
“This is another senseless tragedy,” said Commissioner Tisch at the scene. “A 16-year-old girl playing in a schoolyard is now dead. And a 14-year-old is wanted in connection with her death.”
The NYPD is continuing its investigation and urges anyone with information to contact authorities.
MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Authorities have confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a shooting incident at the Meridian Mall on Friday afternoon.
As a result, the lockdown at the mall has been lifted.
The Meridian Township Police Department issued a public advisory just before 2:00 p.m., urging residents and shoppers to avoid the area near the Dick’s Sporting Goods entrance while officers conducted an active investigation at the scene.
At this time, police have not released specific details regarding the nature of the shooting, including whether anyone was injured or the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident and are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
The public is asked to remain clear of the immediate area to allow for the ongoing investigation.