BRONX, New York — A little girl was just walking through her neighborhood when the gunfire started.
On Wednesday afternoon, during rush hour on busy Southern Boulevard in the Longwood section of the Bronx, a 5-year-old girl was grazed by a bullet — caught in the crossfire of a shooting that had nothing to do with her.
On Friday morning, police made their first arrest.
A 15-Year-Old Charged With Attempted Murder
The New York Police Department announced that a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody around 10 a.m. Friday.
He was charged with attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon, among other alleged crimes.
He was one of three suspects police had been searching for since the shooting. Two others remain at large.
Surveillance Video Captured the Chaos
Security footage from the scene tells a disturbing story.
People walking along the sidewalk are seen suddenly looking back, then scrambling to find cover.
Seconds later, what appears to be a group of teens sprints past — at least one of them visibly carrying a gun.
Sources told CBS New York that two groups were firing at each other. The 5-year-old was not the intended target.
‘She’ll Be Traumatized by It’
The bullet grazed the little girl in the ear.
She was rushed to the hospital and is listed in stable condition. Her grandfather, Steven Willis, spoke to reporters Thursday and said the family is holding on.
“They’re saying she’s going to be OK, you know,” Willis said. “She’s a little girl. She’ll be traumatized by it.”
The girl’s name has not been released.
Two Suspects Still on the Loose
Police have not released the name of the teenager in custody.
But with two suspects still at large, the NYPD is asking the public for help.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online or by direct message to @NYPDTips on Twitter. All calls are kept confidential.
A 5-year-old should never have to know what a gunshot sounds like. What do you think needs to change to keep kids safe in our communities? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
