Sixteen-year-old Evette Jeffrey was riding her scooter through a Bronx schoolyard Monday afternoon, steps from home, when a bullet ended her young life.
Known affectionately to friends and family as “Selena,” Evette was an innocent bystander caught in the chaos of a gang-related fight that erupted into gunfire outside Bronx Latin Intermediate School in Morrisania.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the shooting. Police say they are still searching for a 13-year-old believed to have handed the firearm to the alleged shooter. Authorities confirmed Evette had no connection to the dispute.
“During this altercation, a 14-year-old fired three rounds into the crowd of other teens,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. “The victim was not involved in this dispute. She was an innocent bystander who was trying to take cover behind a brick wall and was struck in the head by one of the rounds.”
A Life Cut Short
Evette, a freshman at nearby Morris High School, had dreams of becoming a medical technician. Her family described her as a bright, loving teen who adored her pets — a dog, a cat, and a turtle — and filled her bedroom with teddy bears, music, and personal touches.
“She was just a girly girl,” her grandmother said, sharing a photo of Evette’s middle school graduation. “She was looking into schools already. She had plans.”
On Monday, Evette had been walking with friends before heading to the playground. They hugged goodbye, not knowing it would be their last moment with her.
“She said she was going home,” one friend said. “I gave her a hug. We parted ways.”
A neighbor alerted Evette’s grandmother when something went terribly wrong. Rushing to the scene, she found her granddaughter on a stretcher, unresponsive.
“They were pumping her chest. I told them, ‘I know she’s gone,’” she said through tears.
Family and Community in Mourning
Evette’s death has devastated her family and the larger Bronx community. Her mother, Kristen Abad, now faces a future without her only child.
“It gets worse every day, every minute. I’m just thinking about her,” Abad said. “They told me she had been shot at the park. She was just out with her boyfriend celebrating their anniversary.”
Her boyfriend, Abad said, was with Evette when she was shot and tried to help.
“He held her. He did what he could. I’m just grateful he was there for her,” she added.
Evette’s aunt, Nereida Abad, said the family made it a point to ensure the children felt loved and supported — something she feels was denied to them growing up.
“I can’t hear her voice anymore,” she said. “We’ll miss her so much.”
A City Searching for Answers
The tragedy has again turned attention to the surge in youth violence across the Bronx. According to NYPD statistics, 28 shooting victims and 17 shooters under the age of 18 have been reported in the borough so far this year.
While overall shootings in the Bronx are down nearly 20% from last year, many say the age of both victims and shooters is alarming.
“They’re becoming younger and younger,” said Pastor Jay Gooding Sr., a clergy liaison for the NYPD. “We need more youth centers, after-school programs, and job opportunities. These young people are shooting — and sometimes they’re back on the streets the same day.”
Community-based organizations like SOS Bronx are working to support teens and prevent future violence.
“We offer entrepreneurship programs, GED prep, men’s and women’s support groups — but we’re overwhelmed,” said SOS Bronx’s Marisol Rivera.
A Call for Change
As the community gathered for a candlelight vigil in the schoolyard where Evette was killed, her family urged city leaders to act.
“Maybe if there were more things for kids to do, they wouldn’t be in the street,” said family friend Jimmy Lopez. “Something more could’ve been done.”
For those who knew Evette, the heartbreak is raw — and the call for accountability is urgent.
“She was so sweet,” one friend said. “She really didn’t deserve that. None of us do.”
