New York – A peaceful Monday afternoon turned into a tragedy in New York when 16-year-old E. Jeffrey was shot and killed by a stray bullet, leaving her community heartbroken. The bullet came from a gun fired by a 14-year-old boy during a schoolyard fistfight near a local school.
Jeffrey, who had no part in the fight, was riding her scooter nearby when she was shot in the head. Despite efforts to save her, she later died in the hospital.
What Happened Outside the School?
The shocking incident took place just before 5 p.m., outside a building that houses three different schools. According to police reports:
- A group of teens exited the building and began fighting in a nearby walkway.
- One teen punched another, knocking him to the ground.
- The fight escalated, with more teenagers joining in.
- During the chaos, one teen was handed a gun.
- He stood up and fired three shots into the crowd.
One of those bullets hit E. Jeffrey, who was trying to get away from the area. Security camera footage captured the moment her friend tried to pull her to safety behind a wall. Unfortunately, the bullet had already caused fatal damage.
Who Was E. Jeffrey?
E. Jeffrey was a high school freshman, described by her family and teachers as:
- Kind-hearted
- Full of energy
- Focused on her future
She had dreams of becoming a medical technician and was already looking into courses to help her reach that goal. She was also her mother’s only child, making the loss even more painful for the family.
What Do We Know About the Suspect?
The 14-year-old boy who fired the shots has been arrested, though his name has not been made public due to his age. He was taken into custody on Tuesday, and police say he will face criminal charges related to Jeffrey’s death.
Authorities are still trying to learn:
- How he got the gun
- Who gave it to him
- Whether anyone else was involved
As of now, it is not known which of the three schools the boy attended.
A Community in Mourning
Police Commissioner J. Tisch said it was clear from the video that Jeffrey was not part of the fight. She was simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“This was a senseless act of violence,” said Tisch. “A young girl with a bright future lost her life because a fight turned deadly.”
The incident has left her friends, family, and school community in deep grief, with many calling for better protection for children and stricter control over firearms.