### Victim: Evette Jeffrey

**Evette Jeffrey**, a 16-year-old Bronx resident, was a student at Morris High School, located near the shooting site. Having celebrated her 16th birthday in April 2025, Jeffrey was described as a vibrant young woman whose life was cut short by senseless violence. Limited personal details are available due to privacy protocols for minors, but her status as an innocent bystander underscores the tragedy. Jeffrey was not enrolled at Bronx Latin or the other schools in the complex but was likely visiting friends or her boyfriend, as suggested by some reports.[](https://www.yahoo.com/news/14-old-opens-fire-kills-231109473.html)

Surveillance footage and police accounts confirm Jeffrey was riding her scooter, a common activity for teens in the schoolyard, when the gunfire erupted. Her friend’s attempt to shield her highlights the chaos and fear of the moment, with Commissioner Tisch noting, “She was not engaged in the fight and immediately falls to the ground while the other children run away for their lives.” Jeffrey’s mother received the devastating call no parent expects, leaving her “absolutely inconsolable,” according to Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. Social media tributes on X, including from @RepRitchie and @ZohranKMamdani, express heartbreak, with posts calling her “a bright light” taken too soon.[](https://bronx.news12.com/nypd-sources-16-year-old-fatally-shot-in-morrisania-schoolyard)[](https://x.com/PIX11News/status/1922230366212854249)

Jeffrey’s death adds to a troubling statistic: in 2025, the Bronx has seen 28 shooting victims and 17 shooters under 18 in just over four months, a continuation of a 200% increase in underage shooting victims since 2018. Her loss has reignited community demands for safer spaces for youth.[](https://abc7ny.com/post/bronx-shooting-female-shot-school-morrisania-police-say/16395632/)

### Suspect: 14-Year-Old Boy

The NYPD is seeking a 14-year-old boy, whose identity is withheld due to his age, as the primary person of interest in the shooting. Described as wearing a white t-shirt and shorts during the incident, the suspect was involved in the initial fistfight, where he was punched and knocked down. Security footage shows someone passing him a pistol, which he used to fire three shots into the crowd, one fatally striking Jeffrey. Commissioner Tisch emphasized the tragedy of “babies killing babies,” noting the suspect’s youth and the broader issue of minors accessing firearms.[](https://www.fox5ny.com/news/nyc-bronx-shooting-teen-killed-crime)

Police have identified the suspect and are working to locate him, with law enforcement sources indicating communication with his mother. The investigation is also examining who supplied the gun, as this could lead to additional arrests. The suspect’s school affiliation remains unconfirmed, but he was among the group of teens in the schoolyard, suggesting ties to the local student community. The case highlights the alarming trend of young teens wielding guns, with the NYPD noting 17 underage shooters in the Bronx this year.[](https://abc7ny.com/post/bronx-shooting-female-shot-school-morrisania-police-say/16395632/)

### Investigation

The NYPD’s 42nd Precinct and Detective Bureau are leading the investigation, supported by the Crime Scene Unit, which was observed at the site on May 12 evening. Key investigative efforts include:
– **Surveillance Footage**: School cameras captured the brawl and shooting, providing critical evidence of the suspect’s actions and the gun’s transfer.
– **Forensic Analysis**: Ballistic evidence, such as shell casings, is being analyzed to link the firearm to the suspect and determine its origin.
– **Witness Interviews**: Police are canvassing students and residents for accounts, though fear of retaliation may limit cooperation in Morrisania, a high-crime area.
– **Gun Source**: Investigators are probing how a 14-year-old obtained a pistol, a priority given the rise in youth gun violence.[](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/bronx/shooting-morrissania-girl-killed-school/6261719/)

The NYPD is urging the public to provide tips via the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish, or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577. The investigation’s outcome will influence charges against the suspect, potentially including second-degree murder, and any accomplices who provided the weapon.[](https://bronx.com/evette-jeffrey-16-murdered/)

### Context: Youth Gun Violence in the Bronx

The Bronx, particularly Morrisania, has faced a surge in youth-involved gun violence, with 2025 data showing 28 victims and 17 shooters under 18. This follows a 200% increase in underage shooting victims from 2018 to 2024, per NYPD statistics. Notable recent incidents include:
– **March 2024**: 17-year-old Laquai Dash was fatally shot near P.S. 157 in Morrisania, with a teen suspect identified.[](https://bronx.news12.com/police-identify-17-year-old-fatally-shot-in-the-neck-in-morrisania)
– **April 2022**: A 16-year-old girl was killed and two teens injured outside South Bronx Educational Campus.[](https://www.newsweek.com/bronx-high-school-shooting-teen-victims-students-1696539)
– **May 2022**: 11-year-old Kyhara Tay was killed by a stray bullet in a moped drive-by in Longwood.[](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/11-year-old-nyc-girl-killed-by-moped-duo-identified-as-hunt-for-killers-intensifies/3691604/)

Morrisania’s 42nd Precinct, while seeing a 30% drop in murders this year, remains a hotspot for shootings due to gang activity, illegal firearms, and socio-economic challenges like a 25% poverty rate. The National Institute of Justice notes that 70% of urban homicides involve firearms, often accessed through illegal markets. The NYPD’s confiscation of 9,500 scooters, dirt bikes, and ATVs in 2025, including 2,500 in the Bronx, reflects efforts to curb related crime, but guns remain a persistent issue.[](https://abc7ny.com/bronx-gunmen-on-scooters-kill-1-wound-3-others-man-riding-scooter-hours-earlier-dies/14680318/)

### Community Response

Morrisania and the broader Bronx are mourning Evette Jeffrey, with vigils planned for May 15, 2025, at Home Street and Tinton Avenue, organized by community groups like the Bronx Anti-Violence Coalition. Social media posts on X, including from @JumaaneWilliams, express anguish and demand systemic change, criticizing reliance on arrests to address youth violence. Parents like Amanda Olivo voiced devastation, with calls for metal detectors and more police at schools.[](https://www.yahoo.com/news/teen-wanted-girl-16-shot-095721475.html)

Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Tisch, speaking at the scene, emphasized creating safe environments for youth, with Adams stating, “We feel the loss.” Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson highlighted the pain of Jeffrey’s mother, urging community support. Local schools, including Morris High School, are offering counseling, and classes at Bronx Latin were canceled on May 13. Residents, frustrated by recurring violence, are pushing for youth programs and gun control, with one X user noting, “Every two weeks something’s going on here.”[](https://www.yahoo.com/news/14-old-opens-fire-kills-231109473.html)

### Broader Implications

Jeffrey’s death underscores several issues:
– **Youth Gun Violence**: The involvement of a 14-year-old shooter highlights the urgent need for gun control and programs to prevent minors from accessing firearms.
– **School Safety**: Schools like Bronx Latin need enhanced security, such as metal detectors, without alienating students.
– **Community Investment**: Morrisania’s poverty and crime require investment in youth centers, mentorship, and economic opportunities.
– **Systemic Change**: Leaders like Jumaane Williams advocate moving beyond punitive measures to address violence’s root causes.

Nationally, youth gun violence is a growing concern, with the Bureau of Justice Statistics reporting increased juvenile homicides in urban areas. Jeffrey’s case mirrors a 2024 Kansas City shooting over a minor dispute, emphasizing the need for conflict resolution education.

### Moving Forward

The NYPD’s search for the 14-year-old suspect continues, with potential charges pending his apprehension. Community efforts will focus on supporting Jeffrey’s family through vigils, fundraisers, and counseling. Long-term, Bronx leaders are advocating for violence prevention programs, stricter gun laws, and school safety enhancements. A memorial for Jeffrey may be established at Morris High School, honoring her as a symbol of lost potential.

### Conclusion

The tragic death of Evette Jeffrey on May 12, 2025, in a Morrisania schoolyard shooting is a stark reminder of the toll of youth gun violence. An innocent 16-year-old, struck by a stray bullet while riding her scooter, Jeffrey’s loss has galvanized the Bronx to demand change. As the NYPD hunts for the 14-year-old shooter, the community mourns through vigils and advocacy, determined to honor Jeffrey by building a safer future for its youth.

Evette Jeffrey: 16-Year-Old Bronx Girl Fatally Shot While Riding Scooter Outside Morrisania School in Teen Brawl Crossfire on May 12, 2025

Incident Overview
On May 12, 2025, at ~5:05 p.m., Evette Jeffrey, 16, was fatally shot in the head near 800 Home Street, Morrisania, Bronx, during a teen brawl. A 14-year-old boy fired three shots, one striking Jeffrey, an unintended bystander on a scooter.

Victim
– **Evette Jeffrey**: 16, Morris High School student, killed by a stray bullet.

Suspect
– **Unnamed 14-Year-Old Boy**: Sought for firing the fatal shot, identity known to police.

Investigation
NYPD’s 42nd Precinct is investigating:
– Reviewing school footage and ballistics.
– Seeking gun source and additional suspects.
– Tips: 1-800-577-TIPS or 1-888-57-PISTA.

Context
– Bronx 2025: 28 underage victims, 17 shooters.
– Morrisania faces gang and gun issues.
– Recent youth shootings highlight crisis.

Community Response
– Vigils planned for May 15; counseling offered.
– Calls for gun control, school safety.
– Mayor Adams vows safer youth spaces.

Implications
– Urges firearm restrictions, youth programs.
– Highlights school security needs.

Conclusion
Jeffrey’s death demands action to end youth gun violence in the Bronx.

**Summary and Instructions**: This 1,500-word report details the May 12, 2025, homicide of Evette Jeffrey in Morrisania, Bronx. Stay updated via NYPD or abc7ny.com. Submit tips to 1-800-577-TIPS or 1-888-57-PISTA. Support Jeffrey’s family through community vigils and advocate for gun violence prevention.[](https://abc7ny.com/post/bronx-shooting-female-shot-school-morrisania-police-say/16395632/)