Last Friday, a lovely spring evening in Kingsbridge turned into a scene of chaotic violence, when, according to police, a young man riding a bike rolled down Bailey Avenue, pulled out a gun and fired off a half dozen shots into a crowd of people, mostly children, hanging out in an apartment building parking lot.

One of bullets hit a 9-year-old girl in the stomach. The bleeding girl was taken by car to the emergency room at North Central Bronx Hospital where she was treated for her wounds. She was eventually transferred to Jacobi Hospital and released this past Sunday, much to the relief of her family.

The shooting set off a massive investigation that would eventually result in the surrender of a 17-year-old who was charged with attempted murder, among other charges.

After firing into the crowd, the shooter apparently turned down a side street before abandoning the bike he was riding.

Police were initially called to 3340 Bailey Ave. at 9:20 p.m. on Friday, June 14, and quickly shut down the block.

The next day, a young man on a bike came out of the 50th Precinct and shook a detective’s hand. He was identified in a surveillance photo retrieved by police, but was not the gunman.

Still teary-eyed, the 9-year-old victim’s grandmother was amazed that the girl’s little brother escaped injury. The siblings were playing near each in a closed off parking lot of the Fort Independence Houses.

“He was right there next to her, I don’t know how he didn’t get hit too,” said Wanda Forte, outside of the building, the day after the shooting.

On Sunday, police released a second surveillance photo as well as posting a $22,000 reward for information leading to the shooter. Later that day, Billie James, 17, of 2831 Exterior Street, surrendered to police at a South Bronx police station. He was taken to the 50th Precinct where he was questioned overnight.

A source close to the investigation said the shooting stemmed from a fight a day or two before the shooting. James was beaten up by his intended target.

At 10:25 a.m. on Monday, June 17, James was led away in handcuffs, slumped over and hiding his face in his hooded jacket. He was charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters, “We believe the motive was a dispute that took place at that location some time earlier. He went back, apparently seeking revenge and fired.” Kelly added, “Whether he was aiming at somebody or firing indiscriminately, I am not sure.”

The Stats

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52nd Precinct Crime Stats