A 15-year-old boy was apprehended on Thursday in connection with a gang-related shooting that injured a 13-year-old boy near a Bronx subway station, as per law enforcement sources.
The teenage suspect is set to face charges for the July 15 shooting that occurred at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Simpson Street in Longwood, according to sources.
He was apprehended by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and NYPD, as reported by the sources.
The victim recounted to investigators that he and his cousin were on their way to a party when they encountered a group of over a dozen kids fighting near the train station, stated NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny last month.
Two individuals on Citi Bikes approached the victim and inquired about his affiliation with either the Ewok or Top 5 gangs – rival groups in the area, as mentioned by Kenny.
Despite the victim denying involvement, a confrontation ensued, leading to gun violence and the victim being shot, as per Kenny.
The boy sustained gunshot wounds to his left shin and left heel, receiving treatment at Harlem Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The victim, residing in a NYCHA development on the Lower East Side, is associated with a gang in Lower Manhattan known as EBK, which stands for Everybody Kills, explained Kenny.
“There is no apparent reason for EBK to be in conflict with gangs in the Bronx,” added the police official. “It appears that they encountered a group of unfamiliar kids, inquired about their gang affiliation, and the situation escalated to gunfire.”
Ralph Sozio, US Marshal for the Southern District of New York, commended law enforcement for apprehending the young suspect and ensuring community safety.
“The US Marshals and NYPD remain committed to safeguarding our children and will continue to pursue such cases relentlessly,” stated Sozio.
