Violent Shooting at Bronx Park: Tragedy Amid Celebration

In a devastating turn of events at a Bronx basketball tournament, four suspects have been charged following a chaotic shooting that left one man dead and four others injured, including a 17-year-old girl struck in the face by a stray bullet. The violence erupted near Haffen Park on Saturday evening around 7:30 PM, shattering what should have been a community gathering. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, along with 20-year-old Daeven Reyes and 25-year-old Robert Royal, face serious charges including murder, attempted murder, gang assault, and weapons possession. The incident represents a stark human tragedy that has devastated families and highlighted ongoing safety concerns in the community.

When police arrived at the bloody scene at Burke and Wickham Avenues, they found 32-year-old Jaceil Banks with a fatal chest wound and teenager Anthonaya Campbell with a gunshot wound to her face. Banks was later pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital, while Campbell remains in critical condition, fighting for her life. Three additional victims made their own way to hospitals: a 30-year-old man shot in the back, a 29-year-old woman also with back wounds, and a 42-year-old man shot in the arm. While these three survivors are reported to be in stable condition, the human toll extends far beyond physical injuries, as families and community members grapple with the sudden violence that erupted in their neighborhood.

The shooting created a particularly heartbreaking juxtaposition for Jennifer Talbot, the mother of 17-year-old Anthonaya Campbell. What should have been one of the proudest days of Talbot’s life—receiving her PhD in mental health and psychology—transformed into what she described as her “worst nightmare.” Talbot was celebrating at a post-graduation gala in Connecticut when she received the devastating news about her daughter. “When I get there to the hospital, I see my daughter on a hospital bed with a [tracheostomy tube], half her head shaved off, a bullet lodged in her eye with a patch, and her head swollen twice the size,” Talbot recounted. Doctors initially prepared her for the possibility of saying goodbye to her daughter, though a glimmer of hope emerged the next morning when they decided to proceed with a blood transfusion.

This violent incident occurs against a backdrop of troubling crime statistics in the 47th Precinct, which has experienced a 50% increase in shootings this year according to NYPD data. Areas including Baychester, Williamsbridge, and Woodlawn have seen 21 shootings through August 17, compared to 14 during the same period last year. Even more concerning, murders have doubled from four to eight year-to-date—and these statistics don’t yet include Saturday’s violence, which sources say triggered ShotSpotter to detect a staggering 48 gunshots. The surge in local violence creates a stark contrast to citywide trends, where both shootings and murders have decreased by nearly 20% year-to-date, an achievement Mayor Eric Adams highlighted at a July press conference.

Despite the localized increase in violence, Mayor Adams stated that a curfew isn’t warranted for the troubled areas of the Bronx, though he committed to increasing police presence in “critical” locations. “We’ve driven down crime citywide,” Adams told reporters. “In the Bronx, we’re dealing with gangs and young people. The DA has been talking about giving them alternatives and programs while we step up enforcement.” The mayor emphasized a continued focus on strategies that have shown success elsewhere: deploying police to hot spots, working with quality-of-life teams, and targeting specific criminal groups. The approach represents a balance between enforcement and prevention, though some local officials believe more direct action is needed.

Bronx City Councilman Oswald Feliz has called for additional police resources, stating unequivocally: “We need additional cops in The Bronx. The shootings we’re seeing are unacceptable. The police presence could help deter some of the shootings we’ve seen.” His concern reflects the community’s growing anxiety, particularly regarding the involvement of young people. “The shootings are shocking. We’re talking about 13-and-14-year-olds getting shot,” he added. Saturday’s incident, which sources believe was gang-related, will only intensify scrutiny of public safety measures in the borough. As the community mourns those lost and prays for those still fighting for their lives, the tragedy has become a focal point for broader discussions about violence prevention, gang intervention, and how to protect vulnerable community members, particularly children and teenagers who should be able to enjoy community events without fear.