A 16-year-old girl was shot dead outside a Bronx school on Monday afternoon, police reported.
According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the shocking incident happened just after 5 p.m. near Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School, located at Home Street and Tinton Avenue in Morrisania.
Officers from the 42nd Precinct responded to a shot spotter activation and numerous 911 calls, where they found the girl with a bullet wound to her head.
EMS rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Police have not yet released the victim’s identity, pending family notification.
Police believe the girl’s death was brought about by a schoolyard brawl.
“A fight breaks out between a group of youths in the walkway when a male wearing a white t-shirt and shorts is punched in the face by another male, and the first male falls to the ground,” Commissioner Tisch said.
During the altercation a gun is handed to, who authorities have identified as, a 14-year-old boy. The child opened fire, and the bullet passed by the intended target and struck the young girl in the head.
“Our victim is seen riding from the schoolyard toward the walkway on a scooter. She does not engage in the fight and immediately walks over to another male at the edge of the group, who attempts to pull her behind a brick wall for cover. When the shots are fired, our victim, who we believe to be an unintended target, is struck, and she immediately falls to the ground,” Tisch added.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson reported that the child’s mother is inconsolable at Lincoln Center Hospital and asked the public to pray for the family.
The young gunman remains on the lam.
Mayor Eric Adams also visited the scene, where he was surrounded by dozens of emotional parents and local residents who demanded a greater police presence and more after-school programs. The mayor spent several minutes talking with them, also adding that parents should check children’s backpacks for weapons.
“We just wanted to come here out to this community, and when you lose a child like this, we know that we have an obligation to create safe environments for young people, and that is what we try to do every day,” Mayor Adams said. “To lose a young child, it really impacts us.”
This is a developing story; check with amNY.com later for updates.
