Boy, 14, accused of fatally shooting innocent scooter-riding teen girl in NYC schoolyard ordered held in jail

The tragic incident that unfolded in a Bronx schoolyard this week has left a community reeling with grief and anger. A 14-year-old boy, whose identity has not been officially released due to his juvenile status, was arraigned from his hospital bed on Thursday for the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Evette Jeffrey.

Evette, a freshman at Morris High School, was innocently riding her scooter into a schoolyard brawl when the young gunman opened fire. The accused teen, dressed in red pants and a black T-shirt, pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder charge through his Legal Aid attorney, Francis White.

According to Assistant District Attorney Timothy Collins, the defendant fired multiple shots in the direction of around 20 school-age children, ultimately striking Evette in the head. Despite his young age, the accused had a previous assault charge on his record. Judge Gayle P. Roberts ordered him to be held without bail due to the serious nature of the allegations.

In addition to the murder charge, the teen faces charges of attempted murder, manslaughter, and three weapon possession-related offenses. The incident occurred outside 800 Home Street, which houses three schools. Detectives believe the violence stemmed from a feud between two street gangs, Forest Over Everything and Kreep On Davidson.

Evette, who was not involved in the dispute, tragically found herself in the crossfire while trying to seek cover behind a brick wall. The shooter fled the scene but was apprehended the following morning as he attempted to board a taxi. Evette’s family revealed that she was celebrating her one-year anniversary with her boyfriend at a Chinese restaurant before the fateful incident.

Her grieving grandmother, unable to forgive the shooter, expressed her pain and sorrow, stating, “I hold your family responsible because they should be watching you.” The community is still in shock, with investigators actively searching for a 12-year-old boy suspected of providing the gun to the shooter.

The senseless loss of a young life has left a scar on the Bronx community, as they struggle to come to terms with the devastating consequences of gun violence. Evette’s memory will forever be cherished by her loved ones, as they seek justice for the tragic loss of a promising young soul.