The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance identifying and locating the people seen in the attached photos further below who department officials say are sought in connection with an assault in Olinville on June 30 in which a 5-year-old girl was shot in the back.
Police said that on Friday, June 30, at around 7 p.m. in the vicinity of East 213th Street and White Plains Road, two people displayed firearms and discharged numerous rounds. As reported, a 5-year-old girl was struck in the left side of her back during the incident and was removed by EMS to Montefiore Medical Center and is in stable condition. Both suspects fled southbound on foot, police said.
A police spokesperson said the first gunman was identified as Austin Morrishow, 25, of 149 Bryant Avenue from the West Farms section of The Bronx, and the second suspect was identified as Curtis White, 26, of 2715 Decatur Avenue from the Bedford Park section of the borough.
An NYPD spokeswoman had previously reported that police received a 911 call at around 7.03 p.m. for reports of a child shot at East 213th Street and White Plains Road. “A 5-year-old female sustained a gunshot wound to the back,” the spokeswoman said.
“The child was removed to Montefiore Medical Center via police vehicle. She is now in stable condition,” she added.
Asked at the time if the child was in a car at the time of the shooting, the spokeswoman said yes, and told Norwood News she had been in the company of her father. Asked if there had been injuries to anyone else, the spokesperson said no.
Police were heard on June 30 on police radio saying there had been damage to the rear left passenger side window of a vehicle, a mismatched tire, and damage to the front of a vehicle. It was not clear if it was the vehicle in which the child was shot or another vehicle which was being referenced.
Police cordoned off the crime scene, where it appeared that five rounds may possibly have been fired.
Nearby the crime scene, a home was seen with balloons tied outside apparently following, or in preparation for, a party. The NY Post reported that the gathering was apparently in memory of a 26-year-old man who had been fatally shot, as reported, in the nearby area in Williamsbridge early Thursday morning, June 29.
When asked if there was any connection between the two shooting incidents, police said, “Cannot confirm. No additional updates. The investigation is ongoing.”
Citing police sources, the NY Post had also reported that a 34-year-old man had also been shot at the same incident where the 5-year-girl was shot on June 30 and that he had been taken in stable condition to Jacobi Medical Center by EMS. When asked about this second reported victim reported by the NY Post citing police sources, an NYPD spokesperson said, “That is incorrect.”
When contacted about the incident, EMS confirmed they had a record of being notified of a shooting at East 213th Street and White Plains Road at 7.03 p.m. They added, “No FD/EMS action taken.” They had no information on the number of people injured.
District 12 City Councilman Kevin Riley later issued a statement on the incident, saying in part, “I am both deeply saddened and angered by the news of yesterday’s shooting on White Plains Road and East 213th Street, which resulted in the harm of an innocent 5-year-old girl.”
He continued, “I give my well wishes to the family in this difficult time as the community prays for the recovery, healing and mental wellness of this young victim.” His full statement can be read above.
Last month, on June 6, a one-month-old baby was reported to be in critical condition following a car crash in the Unionport section of The Bronx, as reported.
Last year, on Jan. 19, 2022, then 11-month-old “Baby Catherine” was shot in the cheek while waiting in a car with her mother in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx.
The latest incident involving the 5-year-old girl took place on the last day of Gun Violence Awareness Month.
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.
All calls are strictly confidential.