MIDTOWN, NY – A 15-year-old boy who allegedly fired shots in Midtown Manhattan has been taken into custody. Since his arrest, he’s been charged with two counts of attempted murder, assault, attempted assault, and criminal weapon possession as an adult.
The authorities tracked down the adolescent to 106 Saratoga Ave. in Yonkers around 3:30 p.m. on Friday with the assistance of U.S. Marshals Fugitive Recovery Task Force. The teen’s charge was a result of comprehensive investigative endeavors involving video evidence, on-scene inquiries, forensic analysis, ballistic recovery, and eyewitness accounts, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD) officials.
Jason Savino, NYPD Assistant Chief of the Detectives Bureau, lauded their extensive investigative process. He underscored the significant role of crystal-clear photos in identifying the shooter. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban expressed relief at having successfully arrested the suspect within 24 hours of the incident.
The adolescent, who had arrived from Venezuela and resided in a migrant shelter, was carrying a .45 caliber pistol, firing three shots on the evening of the incident. Officers responded after a shooting inside the sportswear store JD Sports, which allegedly saw shoplifting attempts by the suspects. This led to a faceoff with a security guard.
The teen reportedly fired his gun, intended for the security guard but accidentally hitting a Brazilian tourist in her leg, who has since been treated and released from a local hospital. The young gunman, along with another suspect, evaded the scene on foot, recklessly firing shots at a pursuing officer while tossing his belongings and sneaking through the subway.
Additionally, the teen suspect is linked to a prior armed robbery in the Bronx on January 27 and a shooting incident near Central Park. Forensics specialists are now determining the connection between the shell casings retrieved at those scenes and the recent Midtown shooting.
The two other teens seen with the suspected gunman during the incident were apprehended but have not yet faced charges. All three are of Venezuelan origin and attend the same school.
Despite a spate of recent incidents, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell reiterated that New York remains “the safest big city in the world”, emphasizing the police’s promptness in preventing and responding to criminal circumstances.