The Bronx apartment complex was thrown into chaos when scooter-riding “bad boys” opened fire, resulting in a 15-year-old girl being struck by a stray bullet. The victim, Paytton King, a freshman at Grace H. Dodge Career and Technical School, sustained severe injuries to her pelvis and was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center for surgery. According to her grandmother, Pamela King, Paytton is currently in stable condition but facing another surgery as the bullet is still lodged in her body.
Pamela King described her granddaughter as a “lovely young girl” who enjoys playing sports. Paytton was with her siblings and friends near their apartment complex when the suspects on scooters recklessly fired shots, with Paytton being an unintended target. Pamela recounted the harrowing experience of witnessing the incident and emphasized the need for the perpetrators to be apprehended before they cause more harm.
Despite multiple calls to the police earlier in the day reporting the suspicious scooter-riding teens, no action was taken until Paytton was injured. The reckless behavior of these individuals has left the community in fear, with Pamela expressing concern that they will continue their dangerous activities if not stopped.
The lack of arrests in connection to the shooting has raised concerns about the escalating violence in the area. Pamela called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and urged them to channel their energy into positive pursuits rather than resorting to senseless violence. She emphasized the importance of providing structure and consequences for young individuals involved in criminal activities to prevent further incidents.
The incident involving Paytton King highlights the urgency of addressing the root causes of youth violence and implementing strategies to prevent future tragedies. The community is rallying behind Paytton and her family, hoping for her swift recovery and justice for the perpetrators responsible for the senseless act of violence.
