A 12‑year‑old boy was fatally shot outside a bodega in the Bronx while riding his bike to purchase a ball. The child, who was the son of a retired police sergeant, was struck by a stray bullet during a gunfire incident that erupted after a brawl on Elliot Place near the Grand Concourse.
Surveillance footage captured the boy staggering inside the store clutching his chest before collapsing. Two other individuals were also injured and are reported to be in stable condition. The shooting is being investigated as a possible gang‑related incident.
Police arrested a 45‑year‑old man named William Ferrer on Sunday. He faces charges including murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, attempted murder in the second degree, first‑degree assault, second‑degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Ferrer has a criminal record dating back to 1999.
Law enforcement officials stated that the victim was an innocent bystander and that the gunfire was random. They emphasized the commitment to pursue justice for the tragic loss.
The incident underscores the ongoing issue of gun violence in the community and the impact on families and neighborhoods.
