Four young men were rushed to the hospital on Tuesday, January 31 with non life threatening injuries after being shot at a basketball court in Vidalia Park around 4:40p.m. Police said.
According to investigators and witnesses, about six shots rang out injuring two 20-year-old males, an 18-year-old and a 12-year-old boy.
Rescuers found the 12-year-old and one of the 20-year-old men in the park and rushed them to the hospital. The two other men who were shot were found in a nearby building On Bronx Park South and Crotona Avenue, where they fled after being shot and called police.
Witnesses said they saw the gunman run from the park and head east toward Boston Road. The 12-year old was taken to Jacobi Medical Center and the other victims were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital.
Councilman Joel Rivera said the shooting is extremely disconcerting to him.
“Yesterday’s shooting in Vidalia Park basketball courts during the afternoon rush hour is very disconcerting no only to me, but also to the residents in the West Farms area of the Bronx,” Rivera said. “Innocent children and their families should not be scared nor terrorized to play in their neighborhood playgrounds in fear of becoming a victim of senseless violence. I urge the community to provide any information that will aid the authorities on the arrest of those responsible by calling the crime stoppers hot line at 1-800-577 TIPS (8477).
It is important that we continue to work with the NYPD, elected officials and other community organizations to ensure that the four victims, one being a 12-year old boy, receive justice and that out community can remain at peace.”
Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. said he is very disappointed and deeply saddened by the senseless act of gun violence that took place in Vidalia Park.
“It is unacceptable that, despite the efforts of my office the police department and our district attorney to take as many illegal guns off our streets as possible, these senseless acts of gun violence continue to plague our borough,” Diaz said. “I am deeply saddened that our kids cannot play a friendly game of basketball without looking over their shoulder because of gun violence. I know I speak for all Bronxites in condemning this despicable, cowardly act. My office will continue to work with the police, our district attorney, elected officials, and other community organizations to take as many illegal guns off of our streets as we possibly can.”
As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, police said.
