Bronx Shooting Leaves One Teen Dead, Another Injured

On December 26, 2025, a shooting occurred in a high-rise apartment building in the Allerton neighborhood of the Bronx, resulting in the death of a 15-year-old boy and injuries to another teenager. The incident took place just before 6:30 p.m. at Eastchester Gardens, located on Adee Avenue. The deceased, identified as Eric Aitken from Waterbury, Connecticut, was shot in the chest and later pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital. A 14-year-old boy, who sustained a gunshot wound to the arm, is reported to be in stable condition after being treated at the same hospital.

ABC7 New York

Eyewitness Leon Stafford, a 23-year-old security guard living in the building, described the chaotic scene. He reported hearing three gunshots while preparing for a physical therapy exam. Stafford recounted that when he opened his door, a person attempted to push it shut, warning him not to open it. He later saw individuals fleeing the scene, one of whom was dressed in black and wearing a mask. Stafford expressed his frustration with the ongoing violence in the building, stating, “All we have seen in this building is constant violence.”

New York Times

The New York Police Department (NYPD) is actively investigating the shooting and is searching for a group of six male suspects seen fleeing the scene. Witnesses reported that four of the suspects were dressed in all black, while one wore a gray sweatsuit and another a navy hooded sweatshirt with gray sweatpants. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Connecticut teen killed, another injured in Allerton shooting

This incident is part of a troubling trend in New York City, where shootings involving young people have increased despite an overall decline in gun violence. Data indicates that from January 1 to September 28, 2025, there were 92 children shot, compared to 76 during the same period in 2024. In the 49th Precinct, where the shooting occurred, the total number of shooting incidents decreased from 17 to 12 year-over-year.

New York Times

The NYPD has not released further details regarding the investigation but continues to seek information from the public. Community members have expressed concern over safety in their neighborhood, with Stafford highlighting the presence of gangs and the normalization of gun violence among youth.

ABC7 New York

While multiple sources confirm the details of the shooting and the identities of the victims, discrepancies exist regarding the exact location of the second victim's discovery. Some reports state he was found in front of a building on Laconia Avenue, while others indicate he fled from the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are anticipated as authorities gather more information.

ABC7 New York

• “I was just in my room doing my studying and I heard a bang, bang, bang three times, right?” — Leon Stafford, Eyewitness

ABC7 New York

• “Run in the room, run in the room, Mom!” — Leon Stafford, describing his reaction during the shooting.

New York Times