The variety of juveniles shot in New York Metropolis has surged 15% % up to now this yr over final, and has skyrocketed 114% in comparison with pre-pandemic 2018, based on NYPD information.
The variety of teen shooters declined by 5% this yr up to now over final, however rose a dramatic 70% since 2018.
At this level in 2018, there have been 14 juvenile taking pictures victims in comparison with 30 up to now in 2025. There have been 10 juvenile shooters in comparison with 17 in these years, respectively, the information reveals.
The teenager victims up to now this yr embody Juan Jose Pena, an 18-year-old hoping to affix the Navy who was gunned down round 1:25 a.m. Feb. 2 on Park Avenue close to East 176th Avenue within the Bronx, police mentioned.
Since his demise, his heartbroken mom has taken her three remaining youngsters and fled to the Dominican Republic, his aunt Shery Olivo informed The Put up.
“She doesn’t wish to come again,” Olivo mentioned. “She nonetheless has three youngsters to maintain. She doesn’t assume they’re secure right here.”
A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with homicide, manslaughter and prison possession of a weapon in Pena’s demise, police mentioned. Cops have been looking for two extra suspects, police mentioned.
Pena, who had no prison historical past, had simply texted his mom he was on his manner house moments earlier than he was lower down, the household mentioned.
“My nephew died 10 months in the past and he did nothing mistaken,” the aunt mentioned. “The one who killed my nephew continues to be on the market within the streets, possibly committing one other crime and getting away with it whereas my sister is crying each single day. I don’t assume they’re doing sufficient.”
Oliva is alarmed in regards to the variety of teenagers being gunned down and carryng weapons within the metropolis, she mentioned.
“When is that this going to finish?” she requested. “What are the elected officers doing? Don’t they care about what’s happening within the metropolis. That is unhealthy . . . it’s getting worse. We don’t have regulation and order anymore.”
To mother Yanely Henriquez, the sick statistics brings again the ache she suffered when her 16-year-old honor scholar daughter, Angellyh Yambo, was fatally shot in 2022 by 17-year-old Jeremiah Ryan within the Bronx.
“It’s unlucky as a result of it’ll proceed to occur each day,” she informed The Put up this week. “The elected officers must be doing extra. That is alarming. It means extra youngsters are going to die identical to my daughter.”
She wish to take her youngsters and transfer away too however she desires to remain near her daughter’s grave.
“I want I may take my youngsters and go someplace else however as a consequence of my daughter being buried right here, I’m caught right here,” she mentioned. “I don’t wish to keep in New York. My daughter and I have been going to maneuver to Florida however we’re caught right here, she is buried right here.”
She mentioned youngsters at this time don’t respect the regulation.
“I fear when my youngsters go exterior,” she mentioned. “I’m all the time calling. . . it’s a relentless battle. That’s one thing I’ve to reside with for the remainder of my life.”
Retired NYPD Assistant Commissioner of Youth Methods Kevin O’Connor believes Elevate the Age laws that stops courts from charging suspects underneath 18 as adults is a significant contributor to the rise in shootings amongst youth.
“Youth crime in NYC is just down 4% in comparison with final yr,” whereas total crime is down 18%, he mentioned. “It’s principally flat. It’s all due to ‘Elevate the Age.’ No person’s being prosecuted within the juvenile world.”
The “Elevate the Age” regulation mandates minors caught with firearms seem in Household Courtroom. Earlier than the regulation modified, 16- and 17-year-olds have been arraigned in prison courtroom and lots of of them ended up jailed on Rikers Island.
A part of the issue is that judges aren’t clued in on a teen’s prior expenses, which has led to rampant recidivism, mentioned O’Connor.
“The judges can’t see prior historical past when a child is introduced earlier than them,” O’Connor mentioned.
“It’s essential to empower the decide to make a full dedication on the child in entrance of them, which they can not do proper now,” he mentioned. “Then, they’ll really save this child from turning into a profession prison.”
