Three Yonkers teens have been arrested by Yonkers Police for attempted murder in the shooting of a 6-year old on April 29. The 6 year old boy was at home when he opened the front door and was shot in the chest by a stray bullet, related to a shots intended for another person who had exited a cab.
Yonkers Police report: On Thursday, April 29th, 2021, at approximately 6:06 PM, members of the Yonkers Police Department responded to 69 Ash Street on a report of a young child having been struck by gunfire. Upon arrival officers located a 6-year-old boy with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest; police officers and members of the nearby Yonkers Fire Department station immediately rendered medical aid to the child. The victim was transported to a local area trauma center where he is currently listed in stable condition. At the same time, officers were developing suspect information and canvassing for the perpetrators. The area was cordoned-off and a criminal investigation was initiated.
Within fifteen minutes of the shooting, due to the combined efforts of police officers, investigators, and dispatch personnel, information was developed as to suspect descriptions and three juvenile subjects were located and detained by police, one of which was subsequent to a foot pursuit. The three juvenile subjects were transported to the Community Affairs Division pending further investigation.
Detectives from the Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit, and Digital Forensics Unit responded to the scene to interview subjects and witnesses, process forensic and ballistic evidence, and recover surveillance video. Investigation has yielded that the victim was inside 69 Ash Street and opening the front door to welcome a family member. Two suspects, accompanied by a third, were in front of 62 Ash Street when allegedly the two each displayed handguns and began firing multiple shots in the direction of two intended targets who had just exited a livery cab between 62 and 69 Ash Street; the intended targets were apparently not struck, however a bullet hit the child victim. The three suspects and two intended targets fled the scene on foot as police in the area started responding towards gunfire. One of the suspects attempted to conceal his handgun on the property of the Enrico Fermi School on Poplar Street; the other attempted to conceal his handgun on the property of Castle Royale on Waverly Street – both illegal handguns were recovered after article searches: a .380 caliber Bryco Arms semi-automatic pistol, and a 9mm caliber Ruger semi-automatic pistol. Shortly thereafter the three suspects were apprehended by police. Investigators believe that the motive for this incident is a continuation and escalation of disputes and group violence involving juveniles and young adults.
Mayor Mike Spano stated, “Thanks to the swift action of our Yonkers Police and Fire Departments, a child’s life was spared from senseless violence. I commend our men in blue for apprehending the suspects, juveniles themselves, soon after the incident. The safety and well-being of our residents is paramount, and we will continue to engage the necessary policing measures to curb any further crime and violence so tragic events like this do not happen again.”
Police Commissioner John Mueller stated, “No parent should ever have to experience the horror of having a young child harmed in this way, due to the unbelievably violent and reckless actions of a few. I thank God that the victim is in stable condition and hope for his full recovery; I also thank the amazing men and women of this Department for their extraordinary efforts in apprehending these perpetrators in short order and removing two more illegal handguns from our streets.”
The three juvenile subjects were formerly identified and arrested: a 17-year-old male resident of Yonkers identified as a shooter; a 15-year-old male resident of Yonkers identified as the other shooter; and a 16-year-male resident of Yonkers identified as an accomplice. The 17-year-old and 15-year-old shooters were charged with Attempted Murder 2 and Assault 1, both Violent Felonies in the New York State Penal, in addition to other charges. The 16-year-old accomplice was charged with Hindering Prosecution and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, both Felonies in the New York State Penal, in addition to other charges. All three juvenile defendants were virtually arraigned today in the Youth Part of the Westchester County Superior Court: both the 17-year-old and 15-year-old defendants were remanded into the custody of a juvenile detention facility; the 16-year-old defendant was released into the custody of his parent / legal guardian. The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. The identities of the defendants and victim are being withheld due to their ages.
The Yonkers Police is continuing to investigate this incident and related events in a continuing effort to suppress crime and deliver violent actors into the Criminal Justice System; additional information may be released as it becomes available.
