NYPD: Man gets off scooter, shoots 4, including 2 children, outside St. James Park in Bronx
NEW YORK -- Four people, including two children, were shot Tuesday at a park in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx.
Police are now searching for two suspects on a scooter responsible for the chaotic scene at St. James Park.
"The shots were very consistent. It was like five or six shots," one woman said Tuesday night.
Police said the victims were all walking on the sidewalk when a 25-year-old man was shot in the back, a 23-year-old man who police believe is his cousin was shot multiple times, and a 6-year-old boy and his 3-year-old brother were both shot in the leg.
Watch Alecia Reid's initial report
"We don't know who they were shooting at. There were hundreds of people in the park and the victims were outside the park," NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said.
A stray bullet also hit at least one vehicle.
Police said surveillance video shows the two suspects, wearing all black and face masks, rolling up on a scooter. The passenger got off, fired off some shots, hopped back on, and then the two sped off going the wrong way on a one-way street.
"Recurring theme in the city -- illegal bikes, illegal firearms, people who use these firearms," Chell said.
Tuesday evening, St. James Park, among many other parks, was packed with kids and families. Why do some have absolutely no regard for the safety of our kids, our women and park goers enjoying a beautiful evening. No regard for human life. Unbelievable. We must do better.
— Hon. Vanessa L. Gibson, MPA (She, Her, Hers) (@Vanessalgibson) July 12, 2023
Neighbors said they are fearful that a brazen shooting could take place in a park where children play and practice sports.
"Cops should be a little bit more aware of what's happening in our community park because we are a community," a woman said.
"As a dad and a parent in this city, I can't imagine it happening to my kids -- heart-wrenching and disturbing," Chell said.
Investigators are still working on a motive for the shooting. Neighbors who use the park believe it may have been gang related.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.