Six people, including a 40-year-old mother who was used as a human shield, and her 12-year-old daughter, were shot inside a White Plains Road convenience store in the Olinville section of The Bronx by two unidentified gunmen who “opened fire in the middle of the street” and continued shooting inside a small “crowded convenience store” on Monday evening, Dec. 30.

 

During a press conference held afterwards at the crime scene in the vicinity of East Gun Hill Road and White Plains Road, NYPD Det. John Chell, chief of patrol, and colleagues described the incident, which they said unfolded at around 4.50 p.m. on Monday as a “brazen and heartless attack” on innocent Bronx community members, involving “cowardly intended victims who used a mother as a [human] shield.”

“Uniformed police from the 47 Precinct received numerous [911] calls for shots fired and people being shot at 3544 White Plains Road,” Chell said. “What we know by video so far is we have two shooters running across White Plains Road, shooting at a group of people in front of the convenience store (G&W Grocery).”

 

Chell continued, “Some members of this group ran into the store, and ran to the counter and were being fired upon and one of the intended targets [who] was not hit, grabbed a mother of 40 years old as a [human] shield and she was shot one time in the stomach.”

He added, “We also have her daughter, 12 years old, shot in the leg. We’ve an additional four males, shot in their arms and legs, their ages from 18 to 21. Who are we looking for right now? We have a male, Black, in a black, Nike sweatsuit, and a male, Black, in a gray hoodie, who have fled the scene. At this time, we do not have a motive for the shooting. If anyone on White Plains Road, shopping, walking around, saw anything, please call us on 1-800-5777 Tips.”

 

In response to questions, Chell said police believe the incident wasn’t random and was a targeted attack on the person or group of people standing in front of the store. He said detectives were working to find out who was the intended target or targets. “They have a lot of work to do tonight; this is kind of early tonight [at this stage],” Chell added.

He explained that the mother and daughter were at the counter when the intended targets of the shooting entered the store, and one of them allegedly grabbed the mother and turned her around as a human shield as he and another target were being shot at.

 

The incident took place just over a block away from Marcus Garvey Square located under East Gun Hill Road subway station’s elevated tracks. The square, as reported, was formally renamed last month from Williamsbridge Square in honor the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), an organization which aimed to achieve Black nationalism through the celebration of African history and culture.

 

Addressing Garvey posthumously at the ceremony on Nov. 28, one of the speakers, Rev. Margaret DeMosh said, “Bless us and comfort us, strengthen us so we can continue to work together in this community, especially in The Bronx, so we can see the change that we wanted to see here in your place, in your community, in our neighborhood.”

As reported, in nearby Williamsbridge, police are also appealing for help locating 15-year-old boy, Cordell Hunte, who is reported missing.

 

Meanwhile, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson released a statement on Tuesday, Dec. 31, in response to the multiple shooting, saying, “I am deeply saddened and outraged by the senseless act of violence that occurred in our borough just days before the start of the new year, leaving six people injured, including a mother and her child. This is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of violence in our communities.”

The borough president added, “We are communicating with the NYPD as they diligently investigate this horrific incident. I urge anyone with information that could assist in bringing those responsible to justice to come forward by calling 1-800-577-TIPS. My team and I stand ready to work with my colleagues in government, the NYPD, advocates, faith leaders, community groups, crisis management organizations, and all stakeholders. The Bronx is a community of resilience and unity, and we will continue to pray for the victims of this attack and their families.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident 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 X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.