BRONX, N.Y. — On the afternoon of Monday, May 12, 2025, tragedy struck the Morrisania section of the Bronx, New York, when 16-year-old Evette Jeffrey was shot and killed while riding her scooter outside a school. The teen’s life was violently cut short as she became an unintended victim of a heated altercation between teenage boys, which escalated into gun violence. Despite being an innocent bystander, Evette Jeffrey’s death underscores the growing concerns about youth violence in urban communities and the deadly consequences that can occur during what may seem like a typical schoolyard dispute.

The Incident: A Deadly Confrontation Outside the School

The deadly incident occurred around 5 p.m. near 800 Home Street, just outside the school grounds of Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, Bronx Latin, and Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School. As students were leaving the school for the day, a violent altercation broke out among a group of teenagers in a walkway adjacent to the school building. The confrontation started as a fistfight but quickly escalated into a deadly situation.

Surveillance footage captured the shocking escalation, showing one teenage boy punching another in the face, knocking him to the ground. What initially appeared to be a typical fight soon turned into chaos when additional boys joined the brawl, throwing punches at one another. The altercation moved from the school grounds toward Union Avenue, where the situation became even more dangerous.

It was at this point that one of the boys, who had been knocked down during the fight, allegedly retrieved a firearm. Authorities believe the gun was passed to him by someone else in the group. He then opened fire, shooting at least three rounds into the crowd of teens, sending students scrambling for cover.

The Victim: Evette Jeffrey’s Tragic Fate

As the violence erupted, Evette Jeffrey was riding her scooter away from the scene, unaware of the dangerous situation unfolding just steps away from her. Tragically, one of the bullets fired during the altercation struck Evette in the head. Surveillance footage reportedly shows one of her friends attempting to pull her toward a brick wall to shield her from the gunfire. Despite their efforts to protect her, the bullet struck her fatally, causing her to fall to the ground as the other students ran for their lives.

Evette Jeffrey was not involved in the fight. She was simply a bystander, leaving the schoolyard at the end of the school day. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that the young girl had no part in the violent altercation and was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time. “She is not engaged in the fight,” Tisch said. “She immediately falls to the ground while the other children run away for their lives.”

Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, rushing Evette to Lincoln Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts to save her, she was later pronounced dead from the gunshot wound to her head.

The Shooter: A 14-Year-Old Boy on the Run

The police investigation has quickly identified a 14-year-old boy as the suspected shooter in this tragic incident. Authorities believe that the teenager who fired the shots was one of the boys involved in the altercation, and it is believed that he retrieved the gun from someone else during the confrontation.

As of the evening of May 12, no arrests had been made, and the identity of the shooter remains unknown. Investigators have not confirmed which school the suspect attends, but they are actively working to locate him. Given the severity of the situation, law enforcement officials are urging the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.

“This is another senseless tragedy,” Commissioner Tisch said at the scene of the crime. “A 16-year-old girl playing in a schoolyard is now dead. And a 14-year-old is wanted in connection with her death.”

The Aftermath: A Community in Shock and Grief

The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Bronx community, particularly in the Morrisania neighborhood, where many residents are struggling to come to terms with the loss of such a young life. Evette Jeffrey’s family, friends, and peers are devastated by her death. Social media has been flooded with tributes to the teen, with many expressing disbelief and sorrow over how a routine day could turn so tragic.

Evette was described by those who knew her as a vibrant, kind-hearted young woman with a bright future ahead of her. Her tragic death has left many questioning how a schoolyard dispute could escalate into such deadly violence. Local community leaders, educators, and parents are now calling for greater efforts to prevent violence among youth and to address the factors that contribute to gun violence in communities like the Bronx.

Her death has prompted widespread discussion about the accessibility of firearms to teenagers and the growing prevalence of gun violence in New York City. Officials have noted that incidents like this one are not isolated, with gun violence among young people becoming an increasingly common and deadly problem in urban areas.

Gun Violence and Youth in New York City: A Growing Crisis

The tragic shooting that claimed Evette Jeffrey’s life is part of a broader crisis of youth violence in New York City. Over the past few years, there has been a troubling rise in shootings involving minors, with more young people gaining access to firearms. This trend has been particularly alarming in communities like the Bronx, where poverty, systemic inequality, and lack of opportunity contribute to an environment in which violence is increasingly normalized.

In 2024, the New York Police Department (NYPD) reported a significant increase in the number of shootings involving teenagers. Between January and October 2024, more than 300 minors were involved in gun-related incidents, a statistic that has prompted city officials to focus on addressing the root causes of youth violence.

Many experts agree that the lack of access to mental health resources, community engagement, and opportunities for young people contributes to the high rates of violence. Teens like the alleged shooter in this case often have limited outlets for conflict resolution and can resort to violence when they feel cornered or powerless.

Additionally, the easy access to firearms has only made the problem worse. Investigations into similar shootings in the Bronx have found that many of the weapons used by teens are obtained through illegal channels or stolen from adults who legally own them. This poses a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies, who are increasingly concerned about the growing number of young people involved in violent crimes.

The Need for Gun Control and Violence Prevention Programs

Evette Jeffrey’s death has sparked renewed calls for stricter gun control laws and more investment in violence prevention programs for youth. Many activists argue that if greater restrictions were placed on the accessibility of firearms, tragedies like this one could be prevented.

At the same time, public health experts emphasize the need for comprehensive violence prevention programs that focus on addressing the underlying causes of youth violence. These programs would provide young people with the tools to resolve conflicts peacefully and offer resources to prevent the early signs of violent behavior from escalating.

One initiative that has gained traction in the Bronx and other neighborhoods with high rates of youth violence is the Cure Violence program. This program aims to treat violence as a contagious disease, working to interrupt the transmission of violent behavior and changing the social norms that contribute to it. Through community partnerships, mediation, and mentoring, Cure Violence aims to reduce the number of violent incidents and create a safer environment for youth.

The Immediate Response: Law Enforcement and Community Action

In the wake of the shooting, the NYPD and local law enforcement agencies are prioritizing the investigation into Evette Jeffrey’s death. The Robbinsdale Police Department is working closely with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and law enforcement officials are appealing to the public for help in locating the 14-year-old suspect. Authorities are actively reviewing surveillance footage from the scene and asking anyone who might have witnessed the shooting or knows something about the incident to come forward.

At the same time, community leaders in the Bronx are organizing memorial services and vigils for Evette Jeffrey. These events serve as both a tribute to the young woman’s life and a call for action to prevent further gun violence in the community. Local organizations are also offering grief counseling to those affected by the tragedy.

The tragic death of Evette Jeffrey has underscored the urgency of addressing the problem of youth violence and gun access in New York City and other urban areas across the country. Officials and residents alike are hoping that the outpouring of support for the victim’s family and the investigation into the shooting will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in the fight against violence.

A Community in Mourning: What Comes Next?

As the investigation continues, the Bronx community remains in mourning. Evette Jeffrey’s life was tragically cut short by a senseless act of violence, and her family, friends, and neighbors are left to grapple with the pain of her loss. For the residents of the Bronx, this incident is another painful reminder of the need for urgent action to address the root causes of youth violence and to ensure that no more lives are lost in similar circumstances.

The story of Evette Jeffrey is one of far too many lives taken too soon, and as law enforcement works to bring those responsible to justice, the community hopes that it can also find ways to prevent future tragedies. For now, the people of the Bronx are united in their grief and their resolve to ensure that the tragic loss of one young woman leads to meaningful change in their community.