Community leaders respond to shooting near St. James Park

Wanted posters for the suspects in the shooting can be seen on the street corner of East 193rd Street and Morris Avenue.

News 12 Staff

Jul 15, 2023, 2:14 AM

Updated 448 days ago

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Local leaders in Kingsbridge held a rally to denounce gun violence following a shooting that injured two children and two men near St. James Park.  
Wanted posters for the suspects in the shooting can be seen on the street corner of East 193rd Street and Morris Avenue.  
“This violence is unacceptable, and sadly we’ve been here too many times,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.  
Police say that two men rode up on an illegal moped and blindly shot at the busy park, striking a 3-year-old, 6-year-old, and two men in their 20s with gunfire. The two children were walking with their mother outside of the park when the incident took place. 
Days after the gunfire, people who live across from the park say they don’t feel safe being outside in their neighborhood.  
Michelle Haynes was picking up her 11-year-old son when she heard about the shooting.  
“Nobody wants to come outside,” said Haynes. “Honestly my heart stopped, because there were children that were involved in this.” 
Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence is providing support to the nearby community residents, and police can be seen patrolling the corner.  
“It was a shock to us,” said Michael Rodriguez, director for BRAG Northwest Center. “Innocent bystanders getting shot… we’re just letting them know, just reach out to us.”