Highbridge News: Crime Comes Back with a Bloody Vengeance

Highbridge News: Crime Comes Back with a Bloody Vengeance: Murder-Free Week Ends with Bloody Weekend (Photo by David Greene) By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 23- A rare lull i...

Crime Comes Back with a Bloody Vengeance

Murder-Free Week Ends with Bloody Weekend

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 23- A rare lull in citywide homicides ended with a weekend of gunfire that claimed the lives of four individuals across the borough.

The bloodshed began shortly after Pennsylvania resident Tyrek Singleton returned to his childhood home at the John Adams Houses on Tinton Street.

Singleton and a friend were ambushed by two assailants outside of 680 Tinton Avenue, at just after 6 p.m., of October 18.

Singleton was shot in the chest and was dead on arrival at Lincoln Hospital. His still-unidentified 26-year-old friend was shot in the leg and is recovering.

One police source stated that the surviving victim stated he did not know his assailants and no arguments took place before the shooting.

Police were once again called to reports of gunfire at 2:15 a.m., on October 19, when officers from the 42nd Precinct and PSA 7 discovered a man shot in the head outside the Arthur H. Murphy Houses, located at 1575 Vyse Avenue.

Investigators say Pablo Pagan, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene, steps away from his apartment.

Neighbors described Pagan as a dedicated father of three children who volunteered at the Castle Hill Little League.

After a third call of gunfire, police in Soundview were called to 1550 Westchester Avenue and discovered a man shot in the head and chest and lying on the ground at 4:14 a.m.

Authorities say Marco Castillo, 24, was shot after an argument with two men. According to one published report, Castillo was brawling with one of his attackers and winning the battle, when the second individual pulled out the gun and shot him.

Castillo was rushed to Jacobi Hospital, where he died.

Residents reported hearing two gunshots and police are reportedly looking for two individuals, described as male Hispanics. The hooligan who started the fistfight was wearing a blue hooded jacket, the gunman reportedly had a mouth full of gold teeth.

A fourth victim was reported at 6:40 a.m. the following morning when police say Julio Ortiz, 38, of West 246 Street was also shot in the chest as he sat in his vehicle at a gas station.

Ortiz attempted to drive away, when he rear-ended another vehicle at Boston Road and Conner Street.

Ortiz was transported by EMS, but died at Jacobi Hospital.

A week earlier the city had reported a nearly unprecedented week as the NYPD released crime statistics for the week of October 7 through October 13, in which no homicides were reported in the five boroughs.

Marching at the annual Columbus Day Parade, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told reporters, "We had no homicides in the city, which is, I think, emblematic of how safe the city has become and what a great job the New York City police officers are doing."

Despite the bloodshed, if current trends continue the city could have the lowest murder rate in half a century. Last year the city recorded 419 killings.

Statistics show there have been 256 murders around the city in 2013, compared with 346 reported at the same time last year.

The NYPD also reports that overall gun crime is down with 879 shootings, compared with 1,145 recorded during the first ten-months of 2012.

Despite the statistics detectives have yet to make a single arrest in any of the most recent Bronx killings. Anyone with any information in any of the cases are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS.

Highbridge News: Thousands to Bike Through the Bronx

Highbridge News: Thousands to Bike Through the Bronx: BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 10- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., The Bronx Tourism Council and Transportation Alternatives announce...

Thousands to Bike Through the Bronx

BRONX, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 10- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., The Bronx Tourism Council and Transportation Alternatives announced the 19th Annual “Tour de Bronx,” the largest free bicycling event in New York State which will take place on Sunday, October 27th.

Sponsored by the Montefiore Medical Center, St. Barnabas Hospital and the Bronx Lebanon Medical Center, the “Tour de Bronx” traditionally brings together nearly 6,000 bicyclists from around the world.

“The ‘Tour de Bronx’ is a wonderful event, and each year I am always excited to join my fellow Bronxites and thousands of visitors from around the city, nation and the world to ride and see all the great things The Bronx has to offer. Riding a bike around our borough is the healthiest way to see the best of the Bronx, and I am delighted to hear the positive feedback from visitors each year when they participate in the ‘Tour de Bronx.’ I invite everyone to join me again this year to tour our beautiful borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

"This great event shows Bronx residents that biking is not only a fun and healthy way to get around the borough. It's a viable transport option," says Transportation Alternatives’ Executive Director Paul Steely White.

To further prove that The Bronx is fast becoming a destination, last year’s event welcomed registrants from all over the United States, as well as Europe, South America and even Asia. “Given the amount of positive coverage we’ve been enjoying in national and international media, we expect to see an increase in visitors participating in this event,” stated Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of The Bronx Tourism Council. “We are anxious to show off our borough to the rest of the world.”

“The New York Botanical Garden looks forward to welcoming the Tour de Bronx cyclists to nature’s showplace, dressed in its finest fall colors,” said Aaron Bouska, Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations at the New York Botanical Garden. “Not only do cyclists get to see the best of the Bronx on October 27, but they do so in a healthy and sustainable manner – values we share and promote every day at the Garden.  Congratulations to Bronx Borough President for his leadership in this endeavor.”

“For the past five years, Montefiore has supported Tour de Bronx as a way to promote healthy living and wellness in our community while celebrating the historic neighborhoods and beautiful greenways of the Bronx," said Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO, Montefiore Medical Center. "Montefiore is committed to improving the health of the community we serve and we are proud to sponsor this borough-wide biking event."

It could not be easier to participate in the “Tour de Bronx,” as numerous City agencies and corporate sponsors are rolling out the red carpet for cycling enthusiasts. Metro North Railroad will waive their bicycle permit requirements and quantity limits for the day, allowing for groups of riders to participate. The Department of Transportation will fit and distribute free bicycle helmets beginning at 8 a.m. while supplies last. The rider must be present and sign a waiver. For children under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present and will also need to sign a waiver. Coca Cola will distribute Dasani water, Powerade sports drinks and Fuze. Pizza will be provided after the ride courtesy of Domino’s.

The event offers both a 25- and 40-mile course, each of which winds through dozens of beautiful Bronx neighborhoods, historic districts, parks, waterfront, Greenway paths and more. Both routes culminate at the New York Botanical Garden for end-of-ride pizza, refreshments and a music festival.

Log onto www.ilovethebronx.com to register.

Highbridge News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Highbridge News: Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying: Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show t...

Summer’s Over But Bullets Still Flying

Residents on Edge as Bloody Mayhem Continues

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 4- The NYPD's own statistics show that the city is on pace to have the lowest murder rate in the last 50 years, but that offers little comfort to family members of those killed or wounded by the almost daily, random street violence.

Detectives are still hunting the gunman who shot and killed Raymond Hernandez, 22, who was shot in the hallway of 2860 Grand Concourse on July 15.

On August 3, officers from the 46th Precinct reported a person shot and killed at 2377 Creston Avenue. Police were looking for two black males seen fleeing the scene.

Kahleed Adams had returned to the ruff and tumble streets of Fordham Heights where he was shot in the buttocks a week earlier. At 12:30 a.m. on August 19, he was approached by a group of men at E. 184 Street and Morris Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking Adams in the head.

Despite being in full view of an NYPD surveillance camera, installed after Adams was shot the first time, detectives continue to hunt for the young man's killer.

But the most blood-spilling, effecting the most people are the random acts of violence that often go unreported. Information can now be found on social media websites as the community seems to be trying to keep itself informed, but rumors continue to be almost as big a problem as the violence itself.

Officers from the 52nd Precinct responded to calls of a person stabbed at 12:10 a.m. on August 3. The victim was reportedly stabbed at the intersection of Morris Avenue and E. Kingsbridge Road. Police were looking for a black male wearing a white and gray shirt and dark jeans. 

At 7 p.m. on August 4, a livery taxi driver was stabbed in the chest an neck as he sat behind the wheel at Bainbridge Avenue and E. Fordham Road. An unidentified resident of the block reportedly tossed a large rock at the car, causing the suspect to flee the stolen car.

Police reportedly discovered Luis Ferrierra, 22, hiding in a backyard. He has since been charged with felony assault and robbery--his eighth arrest for 2013.

When asked about the member of the community tossing the rock, one resident responded, "This area is flooded with crack and crime and I think the residents are fed up with it already." 

Residents near PS 8 at Mosholu Parkway South and Bainbridge Avenue reported hearing shots during the night of Friday, August 9.. Residents awoke the following morning to discover a bloody park bench. So far the incident remains a mystery.

At just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, a person was reported shot at E. Gun Hill Road and Decatur Avenue. However, this incident could not be confirmed.

Police say it was a drug dealer who shot a potential customer on August 13, outside of 2685 Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park. The 31-year old victim was shot in the left hand and right thigh and was treated and released from Jacobi Hospital.

That gunman was described as a male wearing a white shirt and blue hat.

On August 15, Yonkers police were apparently in pursuit of a vehicle that crashed as it exited the Major Deegan near the Van Cortlandt Park Golf Course, the armed suspect reportedly fired at least one shot at pursuing officers before making an escape into the woods.

On August 16 three people were shot over the period of two-hours. At 12:15 a.m. a victim was discovered inside of a building at 2725 Webb Avenue. The 19-year old victim had been shot in the hand and leg and was expected to survive.

Residents of the Fordham Manor block that intersects with W. Kingsbridge Road don't even flinch when they hear gunshots anymore. The block has had two other recent shooting's. A 51-year old man was shot in the arm back in April and two men were shot outside of a bodega on July 28.

Police were still looking for the gunman in the July 28 case, described as wearing all red and carrying a black plastic bag.

Forty-five minutes later officer's from the 46th Precinct in Fordham were called to another 24-hour deli at 375 E. 188 Street. The victim in that shooting was transported by a civilian vehicle to Jacobi Hospital and was also recovering.

At just before 2 a.m., a man was wounded outside of 2258 Grand Avenue in University Heights. The 25-year old victim suffered a gunshot to the right leg and was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he was treated and released.

EMS reported the transport of a stabbing victim from the intersection of the Grand Concourse and E. 197 Street at just before 10 p.m. on August 17.

At some time after 4 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, a man was shot in the leg outside of 275 E. Gun Hill Road. The unidentified victim was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Police were reportedly looking for two male Hispanics who fled the scene.

Recently police did announce an arrest in the May 29 shooting of Alex Rodriguez, who was shot in the head at the intersection of E. 184 Street and Tiebout Avenue in Fordham Heights. Rodriguez died after being taken off life support.

Jamie DeJesus has been charged with manslaughter in the case.

Outspoken Bedford Park resident Ron James Sorenson who was shot as a young man as he drove a livery taxi in the South Bronx back in the late 1960's, recently stated about the judge's recent decision to re-evaluate the NYPD's stop-and-frisk, offering, "None of these people who are against stop-and-frisk have ever been shot. I have and I think the practice saves lives."

Despite the recent surge in killing, NYPD statistics show murder is down over the same time period as last year. So far this year there were 42 homicides in the Bronx, compared with 68 last year.

Community Board # 7 is still in a transition as it's new District Manager Socrates Caba and Chairperson Adaline Walker-Santiago are in the process of taking over the day to day operations of the board. But a blind man can see they have their work cut out for them.

Anyone with any information on any violent crime are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS. 

Highbridge News: Police Seek Couple in Sedgwick Avenue Shooting

Highbridge News: Police Seek Couple in Sedgwick Avenue Shooting: By David Greene    BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 19- Police are asking for the public's help in identifying two individuals,...