During his hospital-bed arraignment on Thursday, the 14-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl who was riding her scooter in a Bronx schoolyard brawl was ordered to be held behind bars.
The teen, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Morris High School freshman Evette Jeffrey, sat on a hospital bed while appearing on a screen in court.
The violent youngster, whose name has not been released because he is a juvenile offender, pleaded not guilty to the Monday evening fatal shooting through his Legal Aid attorney, Francis White, who sat by his side.
“The defendant fired numerous shots on school grounds in the direction of approximately 20 school-aged children,” Assistant District Attorney Timothy Collins stated. “The defendant hit an innocent bystander, a 16-year-old girl, in the head. The incident is captured on video. “The defendant has been identified as the shooter.”
Despite his young age, the alleged gunman had a previous assault charge on his record, Collins said.
Judge Gayle P. Roberts agreed to hold the teen without bail to ensure his return to court, “given the very serious nature of the incident allegations, and as well as his family court findings.”
According to the complaint, he is also charged with attempted murder, manslaughter, and three weapons possession offenses. He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
The boy allegedly used a semi-automatic pistol during the early evening melee outside 800 Home Street in Morrisania, which is home to three schools: Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, Bronx Latin, and Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School.
Investigators believe the daylight mayhem was caused by a feud between street gangs, the Forest Over Everything crew and an upstart gang known as Kreep On Davidson, which is based at the Davidson Houses public housing complex, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
“The victim, Evette Jeffrey, was not involved in this dispute,” the police officer stated. “She was an innocent bystander who was simply trying to take cover behind the brick wall and was struck in the head by one of the rounds.”
The gun-toting teen fled the scene of the fatal shooting, but was apprehended the next morning as he attempted to get into a taxi, according to Kenney.
According to relatives, Evette was celebrating her one-year anniversary with her 16-year-old boyfriend at a Chinese restaurant after school on Monday when she decided to stop by the playground, where she found herself in the line of fire.
“She died here,” the girl’s grandmother previously told The Post.”They were just going to revive her, but she died here.”
“She’s always 16,” the tearful grandmother said. “That’s it.”
She could not bring herself to forgive the young shooter who killed her granddaughter.
“I don’t forgive you,” she cried. “I hold your family accountable because they should be monitoring you. I will never forgive whoever gave you the gun or who had it.”
“They could say I’m sorry a million times, and I’ll never forgive any of you.”
Police are still searching for a 12-year-old boy who allegedly handed the shooter a gun, according to sources.
