A murder, two shootings and a stabbing in recent days have shaken the northwest Bronx, which is already reeling from a string of brutal robberies that caused the commander of the 52nd Precinct to call in for reinforcements.

Although the murder occurred just outside of the 52nd Precinct — which includes all of the neighborhoods in the Norwood News coverage area including Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and parts of University and Kingsbridge Heights — these recent incidents appear to belie precinct statistics that, up until the last week of September, showed a drop in violent crime for 2012.

Through Sept. 23, the 52nd Precinct had recorded two murders in 2012, compared to three during the same period of time in 2011. In that same time period, felony assaults, which includes stabbings, had dropped 3.3 percent (from 302 in 2011 to 292 in 2012), shooting incidents were down 16.7 percent (from 12 last year to 10 this year) and the number of shooting victims had fallen 15.8 percent (19 last year to 16 this year).

But, during this same time period, robberies were up 5 percent, from 357 in 2011 to 375 this year, including a wave of iPhone robberies and purse snatchings that caused 52nd Precinct Commander Joseph Dowling to call in cops from other units to help out. On a recent weekend, there was a significant spike in police presence in Bedford Park and Norwood. Dowling said they were receiving help from other precincts and the NYPD’s counter-terrorism unit.

The 52nd Precinct isn’t the most violent in the Bronx, but it is one of the busiest. And it has recently become even busier.

Teen Killed in Kingsbridge Heights
On Monday night, just outside of the Five-Two, 19-year-old Victor Maldonado, who was planning on enlisting in the Navy, was shot in the chest, apparently after trying to break up a fight outside of 2805 Heath Ave., which is just north of Kingsbridge Road.

Maldonado was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died several hours later.

Police say they have apprehended a suspect in the case, but had yet to make an official arrest as of press time on Tuesday.

The block was the scene of another fatal shooting back on April 19, 2011, when Bryan Nunez, 40, of Washington Heights was shot multiple times.

On Tuesday afternoon, Bronx Borough President sent out a press release condemning the shooting.

“I offer my most heartfelt condolences to Victor Maldonado’s family,” he said in statement. “Victor a young man who just enlisted in the United States Navy, was killed while trying to break up a fight.

“Ending gun violence has been a top priority of mine since I took office. Unfortunately, too many firearms end up in the wrong hands both through legal and illegal means, despite our good work. I once again urge that we come together as one and unite to put an end to these senseless acts of violence, so we can better prevent these crimes and protect innocent people across our city and nation.”

Fordham Bodega Shooting
On Sunday afternoon, a worker at a Fordham-area bodega was shot after a dispute between the store owner and a customer.

According to multiple sources, the victim was shot just after 4 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 30, inside of Taiz Deli, located at 2654 Valentine Ave. at East 194th Street.

The male victim was shot one time in the left hip and taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery.

“The owner of the store had gotten into a fight earlier and I guess he (the gunman) came back and shot up the store,” said a witness who asked not to be identified. “But he shot the wrong guy.”

The unidentified owner of the store was questioned by police and was observed as he rushed to the hospital to see the victim.

Police continue to search for the suspect, described as a male Black, 5-feet-9-inches tall, 160 to 180 pounds, wearing green cargo pants, a gray hooded jacket and a white hat with a white brim.

Shooting on Rochambeau 
Meanwhile, a man returning to his former home in Norwood was shot and remains in critical condition after an early Sunday morning dispute ended with gunfire.

Police say the 35-year-old victim was shot outside of 3515 Rochambeau Avenue, between East Gun Hill Road and East 212th Street, at 5 a.m., on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Police said the two men got into an argument hours earlier and that they had not known each other. The assailant walked up to the still-unidentified victim and fired several times.

Emergency Medical Services reported that the victim was shot once in the chest. The NYPD has stated that the victim remains in critical condition.

One resident of 3515 Rochambeau Ave. said the victim grew up on the block, but had moved away.

“Oh yes, I heard the gunshots, an automatic gun that fired four or five shots at 5 a.m. I didn’t get up from my bed because I usually hear so many gunshots in this neighborhood,” said a resident who asked not to be identified.

“I didn’t know it was somebody I know, I feel so sorry for him,” the resident added. “I’m praying for him that he survives. He was always so nice to me.

A day after the shooting, the NYPD released a grainy video of the perpetrator, apparently showing the suspect firing into the victim.

Stabbing on East 204th Street
Finally, detectives from the 52nd Precinct continue to search for four assailants who stabbed two men along East 204th Street near Webster Avenue, during an early morning dispute last weekend.

Police were called to the front of Fantasy of Italy Hair Salon at just after 4 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 29, when the officers discovered the two wounded men lying on the ground.

According to EMS records, a 22-year-old was stabbed in the neck and rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital in serious condition.

Police say the second victim, a 21-year-old Hispanic man, was stabbed in the left arm and transported to Jacobi Hospital. Both men are expected to recover.

An employee of the hair salon stated that their opening on that day was delayed due to the police investigation. “There was blood all over, it was disgusting,” the employee said.

Police were reportedly looking for four male Hispanics, two with long hair and wearing white shirts, were seen running from the scene.

Ed. Note: Anyone with any information about any of these crimes is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit tips by logging on to the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.