At least seven people have been murdered in The Bronx, according to the NYPD, in the first 14 days of June, which marks “Gun Violence Awareness Month.” Five of those victims were stabbed, while two victims were shot, police said.

 

The most recent incident was a fatal stabbing reported at 9:42 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, when police say a 29-year-old male was stabbed multiple times in the torso in front of 1420 Washington Avenue in Claremont Village.

 

They said the victim, later identified by the NYPD as Nelquan Lilly, was stabbed outside of his apartment building and died a short time later at St. Barnabas Hospital.

On Wednesday, June 12, police said officers in the 46^th Precinct responded to a call regarding a male stabbed at 9:16 p.m. at Echo Place and East Tremont Avenue in Mt. Hope, where officers discovered a still unidentified male with a stab wound to the chest. He too died at St. Barnabas Hospital, police said.

 

On June 12, at 8.59 p.m., police said officers from the 40^th Precinct responded to a call of a male shot at 494 East 138th Street in Mott Haven. Police said in the context of this incident that a still-unidentified 44-year-old man was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head and paramedics pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

 

On Sunday, June 9, at 8.59 p.m., police said officers from the 49^th Precinct were called to Sacket Avenue and Williamsbridge Road in Morris Park for a report of a male shot. A police spokesperson said, “Upon arrival, officers observed an unidentified male who sustained a gunshot wound to the head and chest.”

 

The victim, later identified by police as Kelvin Sims, 29, of nearby Silver Street, was transported to Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park where he succumbed to his injuries. The NYPD would later release surveillance photos of two suspects wanted in connection to the homicide.

 

On Sunday, June 9, as reported, officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to Williamsbridge Oval Park in Norwood, for a report of “an aided male.” A police spokesperson said at the time, “The 66-year-old male aided was discovered unconscious and unresponsive with multiple puncture wounds to the body while on a park bench.”

This victim, later identified as José Cruz, 66, of 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died a short time later.

 

On Wednesday, June 5, at 2.39 a.m., police said officers from the 43rd Precinct were called to 945 Underhill Avenue in Soundview for a report of a person stabbed. They said that upon arrival, officers discovered an unidentified male with a “stab wound to the chest.” This victim was also rushed to Jacobi Hospital, where he died, according to the NYPD, who later identified the victim as Darryl Sargent, 37, of 945 Underhill Avenue.

 

As reported, prosecutors from across the country held their annual conference at Fordham University this month. The theme was “Prosecutors and the Other Pandemic: Preventing Gun Violence, Restoring Communities.”

 

The month began with police responding to a fatal stabbing reported on Saturday, June 1, at 6:08 a.m. when officers from the 47^th Precinct were called to 1418 Oakley Street in the Williamsbridge section.

 

Police said in this incident, a 37-year-old woman was slashed across her neck, as reported. They said EMS transported the woman to Jacobi Medical Center where she died. The victim was later identified by police as 37-year-old Ashley Smith of Mt. Vernon, New York.

On Tuesday, June 11, the NYPD released a photo of the suspect wanted in connection with that murder investigation, and the following day police announced the arrest of Jalessa Richardson of Walton Avenue. Richardson was charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. He is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

According to the latest crime statistics released by the NYPD, murder, citywide, is down 21.1%, with the NYPD reporting 30 homicides across the city during the month of May, compared with 38 homicides recorded in May 2023.

 

Anyone with any information on any violent crime is urged to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1 (800) 577-TIPS, all calls remain confidential.

Read our previous stories here and here on the various programs available at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC) to help curb gun violence.