A wave of violence targeting teenagers swept through New York City this week, resulting in the deaths of two young individuals and leaving six others wounded in a series of shootings and stabbings across the five boroughs. The alarming spree of violence unfolded over a span of two days, with a 16-year-old basketball enthusiast shot dead on a SoHo street and a 17-year-old girl fatally stabbed in the neck outside a Queens subway station.
Mahki Brown, the teenage boy who was gunned down at an outdoor plaza on Spring Street near Varick Street, was a member of the basketball team run by the 67th Precinct Clergy Council, also known as “The GodSquad.” Pastor Edward Hinds, who worked closely with Brown, expressed his grief and emphasized the urgent need to address violence among young people in the city.
Law enforcement sources suggest that Brown may have become caught in the crossfire of a dispute between two groups of youngsters when a gunman on a CitiBike shot him. Another 17-year-old boy was also shot in the back at an Upper West Side public housing development on the same day but survived. Additionally, three 15-year-old boys were slashed in separate incidents in the Bronx and Brooklyn, all of whom survived. The violence continued with two 15-year-old boys being stabbed outside a Bronx McDonald’s on Wednesday, followed by the tragic knifing of 17-year-old Sara Rivera in Sunnyside.
The prevalence of knife crimes among teenagers has become a concerning trend, with a Brooklyn detective noting that it seems like every teen now possesses a knife. The lax criminal justice laws in the state have been blamed by police officials for the surge in violence, particularly the “Raise the Age” statute signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo. This law raised the age for teens to face adult charges from 16 to 18, potentially leading to less severe consequences for 16- and 17-year-old suspects who are funneled through Family Court.
NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Mike Lipetri echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for consequences for serious crimes. He highlighted the increase in gun arrests among the city’s youth, with 11% of gun arrests in the previous year involving minors, a 120% rise from 2018. Disturbingly, NYPD data reveals that approximately one-quarter of youths arrested with guns go on to become perpetrators or victims of shootings within two years.
As of now, no suspects have been publicly identified in the murder of Mahki Brown or the shooting of the 17-year-old boy at NYCHA’s Amsterdam Houses. The police have also not announced any arrests in the slashings that occurred on Tuesday, including the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy on an MTA bus in the Bronx. The investigation into the stabbing of two 15-year-old boys at a South Williamsburg intersection is ongoing. Furthermore, the attacker who knifed a 15-year-old boy in the chest and slashed another in the hand outside a Bronx McDonald’s on Wednesday remains at large.
In a tragic turn of events, a 15-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of Sara Rivera, who was just months away from turning 18. The impact of changing laws and the perceived lack of consequences for criminal actions has been a topic of concern among law enforcement officials and community members alike.
2 Responses
This is such a tragic and concerning situation. It’s important to spread awareness about the issue of violence targeting teenagers in New York City. I will definitely share this post on my social media accounts to help raise awareness and promote the message. Let’s work together to create a safer environment for our youth.
The post highlights a recent wave of violence in New York City that specifically targeted teenagers. Two young individuals lost their lives, and six others were injured in shootings and stabbings across the five boroughs.
This news is deeply concerning and tragic. The fact that teenagers were specifically targeted raises questions about the safety and well-being of young people in the city. It is crucial for law enforcement agencies and community leaders to come together to address the root causes of this violence and implement effective measures to prevent such incidents