NEW YORK, NY – A routine task turned tragic in the Bronx on Tuesday when a man was caught in the crossfire of a dispute, leaving him critically injured. The 31-year-old victim was working on a refrigerator inside a bustling fruit and vegetable market in Mott Haven and had just stepped outside to retrieve some tools when he was struck by a stray bullet.
The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Brook Avenue and East 147th Street. Witnesses reported that the shooter was engaged in a heated argument with another man when the gunfire erupted. The suspect, described as wearing a Members Only jacket, gray pants, and black sneakers, quickly fled the scene on foot, heading south on Brook Avenue.
Emergency responders rushed the victim to Lincoln Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Meanwhile, police have cordoned off a section of Brook Avenue from East 147th to East 149th Street as they conduct their investigation into the shooting.
The unexpected violence has left the community shaken. “He was just doing his job,” said a colleague of the victim, who asked not to be named. “It’s unbelievable that something like this could happen.”
Authorities are actively seeking information from the public to help identify the shooter and understand the circumstances that led to the argument. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
This incident highlights the persistent issue of gun violence in New York City, with city officials reiterating their commitment to addressing the problem. Residents, meanwhile, are calling for heightened security and community support to prevent further tragedies.
As detectives work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, the neighborhood remains tense, hoping for both the victim’s recovery and the apprehension of the suspect.