15-Year-Old Killed, Teen Injured in Bronx Apartment Shooting
A tragic incident occurred in the Bronx on Saturday evening, leaving a 15-year-old boy dead and another teenager injured in a shooting. The gunfire erupted shortly before 6:30 p.m. at Eastchester Gardens, a high-rise apartment building located on Adee Avenue in the Allerton neighborhood.
Details of the Shooting Incident
Witnesses reported hearing at least three gunshots from the seventh floor of the building. The victim, identified as Eric Aitken from Connecticut, was shot in the chest. Emergency responders transported him to Jacobi Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A second victim, a 14-year-old boy, sustained an injury to his arm. He was also taken to Jacobi Hospital and is now in stable condition.
Community Response
This incident took place during a time of year typically associated with family gathering, just two days after Christmas. It has left many residents feeling unsettled. Eyewitness Leon Stafford described the chaos, stating, “I was just in my room doing my studying and I heard a bang, bang, bang three times.” He witnessed three individuals fleeing the scene and expressed concerns about the safety of their neighborhood.
- 15-year-old victim: Eric Aitken
- 14-year-old victim: Injured in the arm, now stable
- Location: Eastchester Gardens, Allerton, Bronx
- Incident time: Just before 6:30 p.m. on Saturday
Ongoing Investigation
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is currently seeking multiple suspects involved in this incident. As of now, no arrests have been made, and authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting.
Residents like Stafford are growing increasingly frustrated. “When I’m coming back at 12 a.m. at night, I see kids chilling in the park. That should not happen,” he remarked, highlighting the rising fears concerning gang activity and gun violence in the area.
The community’s sense of safety has been deeply shaken, prompting discussions about the urgent need for effective solutions to curb violence in the Bronx.
