A Valentine’s Day vigil was organized by violence interrupters, Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) on the evening of Feb. 14 in response to the non-fatal shooting of a young man on Saturday, Feb. 11, on the Fordham Manor / Kingsbridge Heights border. The event was attended by District 14 City Council Member Pierina Sanchez.

 

Police Officer Stephen Echevarria from the 52nd Precinct Community Affairs team said the shooting took place on Feb. 11 at 9:30 p.m.  “Multiple calls for a male shot came through 911 at 196th Street and Morris Avenue,” Echevarria said. “The uncooperative male victim was shot once in the leg. The victim was transported to St Barnabas Hospital and is in stable condition.” He added that the 52nd Precinct detective squad were currently investigating the incident.

 

An NYPD press officer later said police had responded to a 911 call regarding an assault at the location. “Upon arrival, officers were informed by a 30-year-old male victim [that] he [had been] walking when he was shot,” an NYPD spokesperson said, adding that the subject fled to parts unknown. No description for the gunman was available, police said.

B.R.A.G. representatives wrote ahead of the vigil, “Sadly, we have to report that a man was shot on Saturday, February 11, 2023 in the BRAG NorthWest catchment (hot zone). We are grateful that he survived this violent trauma.” They added, “It goes without saying that all life is valuable and to that we will forever say NO MORE! Please bring your voice to OUR (yours and ours) response as you never know [whose] voice will resonate and save a life! Thank you!”

 

Meanwhile, as reported, according to the NYPD, a 22-year-old man from Fordham Heights died after he was fatally shot in the Belmont section of The Bronx. Police said that on Monday, Feb. 13, at around 6.57 p.m., officers from the 48th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been shot inside 689 East 187th Street.

 

An NYPD spokesperson said, “Upon arrival, officers observed a 22-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. EMS responded and transported the aided male to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.” Police said there were no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing. The deceased was identified as Miguel Vargas, 22, of Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights.

On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, as reported, two young men were hospitalized following a stabbing and apparent shooting incident in Bedford Park.

 

In a separate incident on Wednesday, Feb. 15, a 21-year-old man was fatally shot in Mt. Hope, as reported.

 

The year-to-date crime statistics according to the NYPD for the 52nd Precinct which covers the neighborhoods and areas of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Bronx Park, and University Heights are attached.

 

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.