Two masked gunmen riding on the back of separate scooters opened fire on a Bronx street Tuesday night, killing a 29-year-old man and injuring three others, authorities said.
The moped-riding shooters fired off at least 10 rounds toward a group of men near East Mount Eden Avenue and Townsend Avenue. around 6:15 p.m., assistant NYPD chief Benjamin Gurley said at a press conference from the scene.
The fatal victim was shot in the chest and leg and was pronounced dead at the hospital, said Gurley.
The wounded victims were all shot in the leg, he said. Those victims are ages 37, 31, and 23, law enforcement sources said.
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The perps wore hoodies and masks during the gunfire and fled from the scene on the scooters, Gurley said.
One person was taken into custody, but it’s unclear if he is directly connected to the shooting, police said.
Police are investigating if the shooting was gang-related.
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“It seems that way, but not sure,” an NYPD spokesperson said following the briefing.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry vowed the department would “aggressively” crack down on illegal scooters, dirt bikes and ATVs following Tuesday’s shooting and dispatch a community response to patrol the Bronx neighborhood.
Daughtry said during the press conference that 9,500 of scooters, dirt bikes and ATVs have been taken off the street since the start of the year, including 2,500 in the Bronx.
Cops have made 1,300 arrests in connection to individuals on scooters on a range of charges, Daughtry said.
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Gurley said when the criminal justice system holds repeat offenders accountable, “that’s when we get the bang for our buck.”
“And we’re working with the DA’s office to do that,” he said.
Bronx resident Al Morillo, who lives near the scene of the shooting, was on board with the promised enforcement of illegal two-wheelers.
“They have to grab everybody from their scooter. No matter who it is making deliveries or whatever, they have to grab everybody from the scooters,” the 50-year-old said. “You have to have a driver’s license or something.”
Another nearby resident, Jean Rosario, said his wife called him in tears because she heard the gunshots and saw someone walking while they were bleeding.
“I live right here in this building…she was just getting inside the house with my baby. She was crying and everything. She’s upset…it is scary. So scary,” Rosario told The Post.
“The thing is that you never know because when they shoot, open fire, bullets have no eyes. It could be anybody, you know. It could go to me, or any kids, or somebody that’s crossing the street.”
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