Following the arrest of 20-year-old Freddy Flores, as reported, the suspect in the recent shooting of a 2-year-old boy on Fordham Road on Saturday afternoon, March 30, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, April 19, that he was charged with attempted murder in the second degree, plus additional charges for firing several shots at an intended target, and instead striking the 2-year-old infant in the back as he was walking with his mother that day on Fordham Road, as reported.

 

Announcing the charges, Clark said, “Fordham Road is arguably the busiest shopping district in The Bronx. The defendant allegedly fired a gun amid shoppers and pedestrians, on Saturday afternoon before Easter, showing a complete lack of concern for the lives of others. A bullet struck a little boy the day before his third birthday. Fortunately, the child survived this traumatic incident.”

 

As reported, the shooting took place a block and a half from where an Easter Egg hunt for young children was taking place in St. James Park, hosted by local District 14 City Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez, Assemblyman George Alvarez (A.D. 78) and partners.

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived on the scene after the incident. Speaking to reporters on the day, he appeared tired and said, “The 2-year-old child that was injured, I’m going to see the child’s mom now.” He continued, “But you know when you’re coming from a police funeral when a gun took the life of a young police officer, now, you’re hearing of a shooting like this, [it] just tells you, the city, why we are just so committed to taking illegal guns off the street.”

 

Clark said Flores, 20, last of Walton Avenue in Fordham Heights, was charged with attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, second-degree assault, attempted assault in the second degree, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, second-degree criminal use of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree reckless endangerment.

She said he was arraigned on Friday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Brenda Rivera. Bail was set at $50,00 cash, $150,000 bond, and $150,000 partially secured bond at 10%. He is due back in court in July.

 

According to the investigation, and as reported, on Saturday, March 30, at around 1.42 p.m., Flores allegedly fired his gun approximately five times, in the vicinity of Fordham Road and surrounding sidewalks crowded with pedestrians and vehicular traffic. One of the bullets struck a 2-year-old boy in his lower back as he was walking on the opposite sidewalk with his mother. He was treated at New York Health + Hospitals Jacobi for his injuries.

 

The boy was last reported to be in stable condition. On April 2, two days after the shooting, community activists rallied together to denounce gun violence and to call on the community to uplift one another.

 

The rally was organized by Good Shepherd Services’ Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) program at East 148th Street and Fordham Road, the same location where the infant was shot. The B.R.A.G. cure violence interrupters and anti-gun violence activists are based nearby at 1 East Fordham Road and the program works with young people to promote safer streets.

 

At the rally, they spoke out against what they said were senseless shootings and violence, and with a shared resolution that an incident like the shooting of the 2-year-old could never happen again.

 

“We’re all out here to denounce this gun violence that’s going on in our community,” said Jeremy Molina, a director with B.R.A.G. “We need to come together and stand together; this is unacceptable. Don’t let it have to hit home for you to join us in this fight against gun violence.”

“Every time there’s a shooting in our community, this is what you’re going to see,” said Molina, referring to the rally. The group joined together in several chants, including “One shot, too many,” “SOS, save our streets,” and “RTG, release the grip.”

 

As also reported previously, an 11-month-old baby girl, who became affectionately known in The Bronx as “Baby Catherine,” was grazed on her face by a bullet in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx on Jan. 19, 2022. The incident caused outrage in the local community and occurred right at the beginning of the mayor’s first term in office. As reported, two people were later arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

 

Authorities said the shooting occurred when Flores got into an argument with several individuals before pulling out a 9mm handgun and firing multiple shots at them. Flores did not hit his intended targets but one of the bullets hit the toddler in the buttocks.

 

“We’re here to help everybody out, said Joel Castillo, a B.R.A.G. member. “We are not against anybody. We are against the gun violence in our community that needs to stop.”

 

As previously reported, the family of 16-year-old Angellyh Yambo recently sued gun manufacturer Polymer80 for wrongful death for equipping Angellyh’s shooter and named defendant Jeremiah Ryan with an untraceable firearm.

 

Meanhile, Flores’ case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christian Commelin of Trial Bureau 50, under the supervision of Anthony Defreitas, deputy chief of Trial Bureau 50, and Lawrence Piergrossi, chief of Trial Bureau 50, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the Trial Division.

 

POLICE OFFICERS RESPOND to the shooting of a 2-year-old boy on East Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse in the Fordham Manor section of The Bronx on Saturday, March 29, 2024. New York City Mayor Eric Adams later speaks to reporters about the incident. Videos by David Greene.

 

Clark thanked Trial Preparation Assistant Mercedes Agramonte of Trial Bureau 50 and Crime Victims Advocate Eric Sawyers of the Crime Victim’s Assistance Bureau for their assistance on the case, as well as NYPD Detective Ryan Lawrence of the 52nd Precinct Detective Squad.

 

Flores is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.