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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion: After a Stray Bullet Kills a NYC Teen, Chancellor Calls for Community Support
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in our increasingly online post-pandemic world, our families are forced to navigate resources alone. In many communities, including my own, the responsibility to care for, monitor and protect our children falls solely to families and schools. Imagine how much stronger our cities would be if we were to embrace an ecosystem of care, with faith institutions, businesses, and local organizations working alongside families and schools. Across the country, there is a deep youth mental health crisis that is fueling a trend of violence among our babies. In Denver, Colorado, an average of 700 young people under 25 are affected by gun violence each year. In Alameda County, California, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 17. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter According to Everytown statistics, 60 children and teens are impacted by firearms every day in the United States. As parents and guardians, we pour our whole selves into our children. No one should ever have to endure the agony of losing a child, especially to something as preventable as gun violence. Earlier this month, in my community, Evette Jeffrey, a 16-year-old girl in the Bronx was killed by a stray bullet fired by another teenager. As a mother, an educator, and a lifelong Bronxite, this tragedy was personal for me, and I saw firsthand the impact of this devastation across the borough. The following week, another two babies were victims of gun violence in Brooklyn. It is unacceptable that over 30 children under the age of 18 have been killed or injured in New York City this year alone. The pandemic lockdowns left our young people feeling isolated and emotionally adrift. The CDC reports the number of children experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness remains 10% higher than in 2013. For two years, we told our children that their entire lives are online, from their instruction to enrichment, and beyond. Now, we're seeing the repercussions: Our kids don't know who to talk to or where to go when they are in crisis. Related Teens are increasingly tethered to their phones — half of those aged 12 to 17 reported four or more hours of daily screen time between July 2021 and December 2023. Throughout the pandemic, our children were forced to live their lives through social media and virtual schooling. Now, as we bring them back to in person socialization, it's no wonder that they're ill equipped. As the leader of the nation's largest school district, it is my responsibility to lead New York City Public Schools' response to this mental health epidemic at its root. If we are to do right by our kids, we cannot just address the symptoms of this crisis. The solution lies in community interdependence. We've seen glimpses of this kind of symbiosis at work in places like California, which like New York City, is offering free online mental health counseling, or Chicago, where local nonprofits are supporting afterschool programs and other services at high-poverty campuses. We must continue to scale this work. In our schools, we must teach our kids how to use technology responsibly and appropriately. Devices can be used to enrich and support classroom instruction, offering real-time support in math class or opportunities to explore the world without leaving the neighborhood. We must also learn to take care of ourselves so that we can be better and stronger for our kids. We are role models, leaders, and safe, trusted grown-ups. Our students must be able to turn to us without judgement in times of need. But this goes beyond us. For this to work, I call upon our business owners to be more than just bystanders. When you welcome our kids by name when they enter your store, it shows that there are adults who care and who they can turn to when they need to feel seen, heard, and protected. Related I call upon our faith leaders to be active partners with the schools in their communities. If they see a child who is struggling, reach out so we can get them help before it's too late. Robust in-school mental health supports are essential, but they can't stand alone. We need community mental health partners to amplify their impact. Local universities, we need you to bolster the mental health worker pipeline and place young professionals-in-training in schools to build out capacity. We're asking our community-based organizations and leaders with social capital in our neighborhoods to keep their ears to the ground — aware of brewing tensions, conflicts, and signs of distress — so we can act before violence erupts. The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments noted that 'developing and sustaining comprehensive mental health systems should be a shared endeavor between schools and community partners.' We all bear a collective responsibility in ensuring that every child gets the bright and bold future they deserve, and it is up to us to work together to identify at-risk youth and intervene early. As New York City mourns the loss of one of our own, I remain committed to honoring that life by protecting others. Our young people are crying out for help, and we must answer. It will take all of us. Let's get to work. All of us — community members, business leaders, faith leaders, and families — need to rally together to make sure our students have a safe adult in their lives they can turn to in times of crisis. Let's get to work.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Feds bust boy, 13, for handing teen the gun used in fatal shooting of innocent girl in Bronx schoolyard: sources
A 13-year-old boy who supplied the gun that killed an innocent 16-year-old girl in a Bronx schoolyard was nabbed Monday and charged with second-degree murder, cops and law-enforcement sources said. 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.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Boy, 13, arrested in shooting death of 16-year-old girl in the Bronx: NYPD
Editor's note: The above video aired on May 13, 2025. MORRISANIA, the Bronx (PIX11) — A 13-year-old boy was arrested Monday after an innocent teen was killed during a gang-related shooting in the Bronx last week, police said. The boy is believed to have handed the suspected shooter,14, the gun used in the fatal shooting of Evette Jeffrey, 16, near a playground in Morrisania on May 12, according to sources and the NYPD. More Local News The 13-year-old is facing a slew of charges, including murder, manslaughter, criminal possession of a weapon, and reckless endangerment, authorities said. Jeffrey was fatally shot in the head by I.S. 158 near Home Street and Tinton Avenue at around 5:05 p.m. during a fracas between two groups of youths, according to the NYPD. 'It's not fair,' the girl's grandmother said. 'She didn't bother nobody. She didn't go outside looking for fights or nothing like that.' The shooting followed an earlier fight in the schoolyard and then carried out onto a walkway behind the school, when the shooter fired three rounds into a crowd of teenagers, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Jeffrey was not involved in the fight, but was an innocent bystander, who was trying to take cover behind a brick wall when she was shot, police said. She was rushed to an area hospital but could not be saved. The 14-year-old alleged gunman was apprehended at the scene after trying to get away in a taxi, police said. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon, cops said. Authorities said the fight was between members of the KOD, Kreep on Davidson) and their rival is FOE, Forest Over Everything. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
19-05-2025
- New York Times
13-Year-Old Boy Charged in Killing of Girl, 16, in the South Bronx
A 13-year-old boy was arrested and charged on Monday in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old girl, the second teenager to be arrested in the killing last week near a South Bronx school building, the police said. The boy was charged with second-degree murder along with several other charges in the death of the girl, Evette Jeffrey, who was an unintended target of the shooting on May 12 following a schoolyard fight in the Morrisania neighborhood, police officials said. The other defendant, who is 14 and was arrested last week, also faces murder and weapon charges in the killing, the police said. Both boys' names were withheld because of their ages. It was unclear on Monday which boy is accused of firing the shot that struck Evette in the head, killing her. Jessica Tisch, the police commissioner, has said youth crime remains a major concern for the department. While the number of minor victims and shooters have decreased over the past three years, they are still higher than prepandemic levels. As of Sunday, 39 minors had been shot this year compared with 17 during the same time frame in 2018, according to police data. The police have identified at least 27 shooters who are minors this year compared with 16 during the 2018 period, according to the data. 'Kids generally commit crimes against other kids,' Commissioner Tisch said on Friday during an interview with Fox5 New York. 'Youth violence is a very big problem that we are addressing now, and it is a greater percentage of overall crime in New York City than it's been in the past.' On May 12, around 5 p.m., a group of children had left the schoolyard at Home Street and Tinton Avenue near a building that houses three schools: the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, Bronx Latin and the Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School. Soon after, as the children entered a walkway adjacent to the building, a melee broke out, the police said. One boy punched another in the face before hitting several other children. The group then began to walk one block east toward Union Avenue when the boy who had been hit ran toward the boy who had punched him, the police said. Someone handed a gun to the boy who had been attacked, and he fired three rounds into the crowd, striking Evette in the head. Evette, who attended a nearby high school and was not involved in the fight, had been riding a scooter from the schoolyard down the walkway before the gunfire erupted. A boy tried to pull her behind a brick wall for cover. Moments later, officers responding to 911 calls and notifications from gunfire-detection system arrived. Emergency workers took Evette to Lincoln Hospital where she was pronounced dead, the police said.
New York Post
19-05-2025
- New York Post
Cops bust boy, 14, for handing teen the gun used in fatal shooting of innocent girl in Bronx schoolyard: sources
A 14-year-old boy who cops believe supplied the gun that killed an innocent 16-year-old girl in a Bronx schoolyard last week has been busted, law enforcement sources said. The boy – who has 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 on Monday morning in NYCHA's Forest Houses, the sources said. Charges are pending against the teen, the second 14-year-old picked up in connection to the senseless murder. Advertisement 4 Evette Jeffrey, 16, was shot and killed last week. Facebook 4 On Monday evening at approximately 5:05 PM, police officers respond to Home Street and Tinton Avenue where they find Evette Jeffrey unconscious. Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock The first 14-year-old suspect, who appeared before a judge from a hospital bed late last week, was charged with second-degree murder, prosecutors said. Advertisement 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 Street 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. 4 Evette Jeffrey was shot and killed earlier this month. Rebecca Abad/Facebook Advertisement 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.' 4 The Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch hold a press gaggle at the scene, then the Mayor speaks with residents. Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Relatives said Evette was celebrating her one-year 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. Advertisement 'She's forever 16,' the girl's grandma previously 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.'
