A senseless tragedy unfolded on the evening of May 12, 2025, in the Bronx, New York, when a 16-year-old innocent bystander, Evette Jeffrey, was shot and killed after a fight broke out between a group of teenagers near a school building. The young girl, who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, was tragically caught in the crossfire of a violent altercation that claimed her life. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with officials and residents alike mourning the loss of a young life cut short by gun violence.
At approximately 5:05 p.m., the New York Police Department (NYPD) responded to a 911 call reporting that a female had been shot near the Bronx Latin School. The authorities arrived quickly to the scene, where they found the 16-year-old victim, later identified as Evette Jeffrey, unconscious and unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency responders rushed her to Lincoln Hospital, but tragically, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who spoke at a press conference following the tragic event, expressed her deep sorrow and frustration. “Our city has suffered another senseless tragedy tonight,” Tisch said, referring to the devastating loss of a young life due to violence. She went on to say that Evette Jeffrey “should be home right now eating dinner with her family, but instead we are talking about another child victim of gun violence.” These words reflect the broader reality of rising violence involving teenagers and firearms in New York City, a disturbing trend that has left communities on edge.
Video footage recovered from the school premises showed a chaotic scene. The video captured a group of children leaving the schoolyard and entering a walkway adjacent to the building when a physical fight broke out. According to the NYPD, the altercation began when a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face by another male. The fight quickly escalated as the assailant continued to punch several people in the crowd. It was during this confrontation that a third party handed a firearm to the 14-year-old boy.
The young shooter, now identified as the suspected assailant, then approached the male who had attacked him and fired three rounds into the crowd. Amid the chaos, 16-year-old Evette Jeffrey was seen riding a scooter from the schoolyard toward the walkway. Although she did not engage in the fight, she was in close proximity to the altercation and was seen walking over to a male who attempted to pull her behind a brick wall for cover. Tragically, despite the male’s efforts to shield her, Jeffrey was struck by a bullet to the head and fell immediately to the ground, helpless.
Evette, who had just celebrated her 16th birthday earlier this month, was a student at nearby Morris High School. Her death has left her family in shock and devastated by the violence that took her life. Her grandmother, in an emotional statement to New York ABC station WABC, expressed her pain and anger. “I will never forgive you, any of you,” she said, speaking directly to the suspected shooter and anyone involved in the incident.
As news of the shooting spread, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson spoke about the unimaginable grief faced by Evette’s mother, who received the most heart-wrenching phone call a parent could ever receive. “She got the worst phone call that no parent should ever get, that her child was shot while she was here at a playground after school,” Gibson said. “We just recognized Mother’s Day yesterday, and now this mother has lost her child. This is a parent that will never be the same again.” These heartfelt words shed light on the profound emotional toll this tragedy has taken on Evette’s family.
The loss of Evette Jeffrey has sparked outrage among officials, who are calling for urgent action to address the issue of gun violence among young people. Police Commissioner Tisch pointed to the disturbing rise in shootings involving minors, especially in the Bronx, where incidents involving victims under the age of 18 have surged by 200% in 2024 compared to 2018. “These are babies killing babies, and it has to stop,” Tisch stated. Her comments reflect a growing concern about the availability of firearms and the ease with which young people are gaining access to deadly weapons.
Mayor Eric Adams, who was also present at the scene of the shooting, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. “I don’t even know what to say when a shooting like this occurs,” Adams said on social media platform X. “Us parents must continue to do everything in our power to make sure our kids cannot access guns.” The mayor’s words highlight a growing frustration with the escalating gun violence in New York City and a call for parents, educators, and government officials to work together to prevent further tragedies like this one.
The incident also shines a spotlight on the alarming trend of teen violence and the role that peer conflicts are playing in these tragic events. In this case, a group of teenagers who were supposed to be completing their school day instead became embroiled in a violent confrontation that ended in death. The fact that such incidents have become more frequent in recent years is a stark reminder of the challenges facing communities in addressing the underlying issues that lead to violence among young people.
As the investigation into Evette Jeffrey’s death continues, police have taken the 14-year-old suspected shooter into custody. The young boy, whose name has not been released due to his age, faces serious charges in connection with the shooting. His arrest raises further questions about the role of gun access and the alarming trend of minors being involved in violent incidents. It is clear that this tragedy has sparked a call to action for city officials, law enforcement, and the public to address the root causes of youth violence and prevent further loss of life.
Evette Jeffrey’s family, friends, and the broader community of the Bronx are left to grieve the loss of a vibrant young girl whose life was cut short by senseless violence. As they come to terms with the tragedy, they are calling for justice for Evette and an end to the violence that continues to plague their neighborhood. The pain and sorrow felt by her family are immeasurable, but their love for Evette will continue to endure as they seek to honor her memory and raise awareness about the need for change.
The shooting of Evette Jeffrey is a devastating reminder of the ongoing crisis of gun violence in America and the need for urgent action to protect young people from harm. It also underscores the importance of addressing the broader societal issues that contribute to youth violence, including the normalization of aggressive behavior, the impact of social media, and the lack of access to mental health services for young people. Only by tackling these challenges head-on can we hope to create a safer, more peaceful environment for future generations.
In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, it is crucial that the community comes together to support Evette’s family and work towards creating lasting change. As the investigation continues, we hope that justice will be served for Evette, and that her death will serve as a catalyst for change, sparking a renewed commitment to ending gun violence and protecting young people in every community across the country.
