Feds bust boy, 13, for handing teen the gun used in fatal shooting of innocent girl in Bronx schoolyard: sources
The boy — who had been at large since the deadly May 12 shooting of Morris High School freshman Evette Jeffrey — was picked up by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force at a family friend's apartment building Monday morning in NYCHA's Forest Houses, the sources said.
The kid, who is turning 14 in two months, was also charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree manslaughter, reckless endangerment and gun possession raps, police said.
He had at least two previous arrests last year: one for menacing with a knife and the other for criminal possession of stolen property, sources said.
The boy is the second teen busted in connection to the senseless murder.
The alleged 14-year-old gunman, who appeared before a judge from a hospital bed late last week, was charged with second-degree murder, prosecutors said.
He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.
'The defendant fired numerous shots on school grounds in the direction of approximately 20 school-age children,' Assistant District Attorney Timothy Collins said. 'The defendant struck an innocent bystander, a 16-year-old girl, in the head. The incident is on video. The defendant has been identified as the shooter.'
The boy allegedly used a semi-automatic pistol during the early evening melee outside 800 Home St. in the Morrisania neighborhood. The building houses three schools: Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science and Science Charter School, Bronx Latin and Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School.
Investigators believe the mayhem was sparked by a feud between street gangs — the Forest Over Everything crew and an upstart gang calling itself Kreep On Davidson, based at the Davidson Houses public housing complex, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said last week.
'The victim, Evette Jeffrey, was not involved in this dispute,' Kenny said. 'She was an innocent bystander who was simply trying to take cover behind the brick wall and was struck in the head by one of the rounds.'
Relatives said Evette was celebrating her first anniversary with her boyfriend, also 16, at a Chinese restaurant after school and decided to stop at the playground — where she found herself in the line of fire.
'She's forever 16,' the girl's grandma has said. 'That's it.'
Evette's grandmother couldn't bring herself to forgive the youngsters involved in the daylight violence that took her granddaughter's life.
'I don't forgive you,' she sobbed. 'I hold your family responsible because they should be watching you. Whoever handed you [the gun] or had it, I will never forgive you.'
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