NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Six bystanders were shot in the Bronx in three days this week, including a 71-year-old woman who was fatally shot in the back during a gang fight in Mott Haven on Thursday afternoon and an 8-year-old boy who was shot and wounded while getting off a school bus.
Enriqueta Rivera was walking with a 34-year-old friend just a few blocks from her home at 12:30 p.m. when the two women were caught in the middle of rapid gunfire between two men.
Officers responding to a 911 call found them shot in front of 512 East 138 St.
Rivera suffered a gunshot wound to her back and was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospital/Lincoln.
Residents gather at the scene of Thursday's shooting in Mott Haven that left a 71-year-old woman dead.Citizen App
The 34-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to her arm and was in stable condition at the same hospital.
"Those bullets struck two innocent people standing out on the street," said NYPD Assistant Chief Benjamin Gurley at a news conference. "One victim, a female, 34 years old, and another victim, 71 years old, just walking with her back turned to the incident who fell on 138th Street and Brook [Avenue] with a bullet in her back."
The shooting is believed to be gang related, police said. No arrests have been made.
"Four victims in the last three days—shootings, that's bullets to skin," Bronx D.A. Darcel Clark said alongside police. "Enough is enough. This is happening in broad daylight. We need help."
Police at the scene of a shooting on East 143rd Street in Mott Haven, where a 38-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet Wednesday evening.Citizen App
Shortly after the NYPD news conference, the number of bystanders shot in the borough this week rose to six, as two bystanders were among three men shot at East 174th Street and Jerome Avenue in Morris Heights around 7:45 p.m.
The two bystanders—a 67-year-old man shot in the arm and a 29-year-old man shot in the ankle—were recovering at St. Barnabas Hospital.
A 24-year-old man who walked into St. Barnabas Hospital riddled with bullets may have been the intended target, according to police, who said he's not cooperating with their investigation. He's expected to survive.
This week's victims also include a 38-year-old woman who was grazed in the arm by a bullet outside 383 East 143rd St. in Mott Haven shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Police race to the scene of Wednesday's shooting on East 143rd Street in Mott Haven.Citizen App
And around 5 p.m. Tuesday, an 8-year-old boy was caught in crossfire of a robbery as he exited a school bus at 328 Beekman Ave. in Mott Haven.
The boy was struck in the thigh and hospitalized in stable condition. A 27-year-old man, Joshua Brooks, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and other counts in that case.
"An 8-year-old boy that I had to visit in the hospital," Clark said. "Thank God he survived, a brave little young man. But getting off a school bus coming from home? We don't deserve this."
Fearful residents are wondering what could be next going into the weekend as rival gang members target each other with brazen gunfire.
Gurley said the NYPD is increasing its presence in response to the violence.
"You will see an increase in foot posts," the chief said. "You're going to see cars with lights out here, cops standing on posts. Cops walking up and down the streets. You'll see our critical response teams."
