Yonkers Police Search For 15-Year-Old Accused Of Shooting Innocent Bystander
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – We're learning more about the suspect in last week's fatal shooting of a Yonkers teenager.
The allegd gunman - just 15 - has a history of crimes using firearms and knives.
On Tuesday, Yonkers Mayor Mike Span was handing out bicycles repaired by and books collected by Yonkers Police.
It's part of the annual effort to bring police and community closer.
Police are counting on those ties as they search for 15-year-old Jamir Thompson.
"We need information from the community to locate him. Again, we want to hold him accountable for his actions, and we're not going to stop until he's in custody," said Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner.
Thomspon allegedly opened fire with a handgun last Thursday, hitting and killing 18-year-old Marilyn Cotto Montanez as she walked with her 9-year-old sister out for pizza.
Police say she was not the target.
Ironically, two weeks ago, Thompson posted to Facebook "Stop shooting with your eyes closed - innocent people are getting hurt."
"It's horrible to think that at 15, you have a gun in your hand and you have a mindset that you're in the streets looking to kill someone, " said Yonkers resident Carlos Simmons.
It's a deadly turn for a troubled young man.
In 2015, at age 12, Jamir Thompson was charged with a knifepoint robbery. In 2017, arrested again for possession of a loaded .380 caliber gun. Last November, he was charged with stabbing someone in the leg during a dispute.
WEB EXTRA: Yonkers Police Detail Search For Jamir Thompson
Some might question why the system kept returning Thompson to the street, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported.
His Facebook feed is filled with pictures of him showing off cash, drugs and showing gang signs.
"We don't have control over the court system, but it's frustrating at times," said Gardner.
Marilyn Montanez was a hardworking student, doted on by her large family.
Her wake will be Wednesday at Community Funeral Home on Yonkers Avenue.
There's a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
A GoFundMe has been started to raise money for Montanez's funeral and to pay for therapy for her 9-year-old sister, who witnessed the shooting.