BRONX, N.Y. — The family of a 16-year-old girl fatally shot while walking home from school is demanding justice as police search for the alleged gunman involved in the tragic incident. Evette Jeffrey was struck by a stray bullet around 5 p.m. Monday near Home Street and Tinton Avenue, close to Bronx Latin, a well-known middle and high school. Authorities reported that she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Lincoln Hospital.
Eyewitnesses say Jeffrey was riding her scooter back to her apartment, located just a few blocks from where the shooting occurred. Family members described her as a vibrant young woman, full of dreams and aspirations. “She wanted to become a medical technician. She loved her pets and was excited about college,” said Kristen Abad, Evette’s mother.
Her grandmother, Lizette Ramirez, expressed her heartbreak while holding the shooter’s family accountable. “I don’t forgive you. I hold your family responsible, because they should be watching,” she stated. “She’s forever 16. You took her away from us.” The emotional toll on the family was evident as they struggled to cope with the tragic loss.
Mayor Eric Adams visited the neighborhood the same evening and shared that the suspected shooter is a 14-year-old boy with a reported history of threatening behavior, including a prior incident involving his mother. As the search for the young suspect continues, the community grapples with the implications of youth violence.
The NYPD has increased its presence around Bronx Latin to reassure students and parents as they start their school day. Police anticipate releasing more details on their investigation, which remains ongoing.
According to data gathered by local authorities, Jeffrey is the tenth teenager killed by gun violence in the city this year, highlighting a concerning trend. Reports indicate that shootings in the 42nd Precinct, which encompasses areas like Morrisania, Claremont, and Crotona Park, have remained consistent compared to last year’s figures.
This tragic event has reignited discussions about gun violence and the safety of young people in urban neighborhoods. Community leaders and advocates are calling for more effective measures to address the root causes of violence and to protect youth from similar tragedies in the future.
As this story develops, the heartbreaking loss of a promising young life serves as a reminder of the continuing crisis of gun violence affecting communities nationwide.