A young shooter sentenced to 15 years for killing a 13-year-old boy in the Bronx four years ago.
The family of Jaryan Elliot secured a measure of justice this week, four years following the tragic death of the 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot on a Bronx street. Jahlil Califf, the individual convicted of the crime, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the first degree. The ruling came during a court session held on Thursday in the youth part of Bronx Supreme Court.
At the time of the incident, Califf was just 16 years old. He opened fire on Jaryan during a sweltering afternoon on July 11, 2021, marking a grim chapter in the ongoing issue of gun violence in urban areas. Califf opted for a plea deal that allowed him to escape a potential murder conviction, which could have led to a much longer sentence had the case proceeded to trial.
This disturbing event was identified as part of a concerning trend of gang-related violence in the Bronx, labeled by law enforcement officials as a targeted attack. The then-Chief of the NYPD, Rodney Harrison, characterized Jaryan’s murder as part of an alarming surge in revenge killings among rival gangs operating in the area. The increase in violent incidents during the summer of 2021 prompted widespread public outcry and concern.
Throughout the court proceedings, Mal Elliot, Jaryan’s mother, expressed her profound grief. Witnesses noted her emotional response as she listened to the details surrounding her son’s death. Although she acknowledged the plea deal was not the full justice she desired, she noted that the conclusion of the case provided a degree of closure for her and her family.
On the day of Jaryan’s killing, he was reportedly standing outside Angels Cafe when the shooter emerged from a vehicle and opened fire. The young boy was struck multiple times before succumbing to his injuries shortly after arrival at St. Barnabas Hospital.
The summer of 2021 was marked by an alarming spike in gun-related incidents involving minors. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark referred to the violence as “an utter catastrophe.” Tragically, Jaryan was not the only young life lost that summer; 16-year-old Ramon Gil-Medrano was killed on the same day as Jaryan, underscoring the need for community and law enforcement intervention to curb escalating violence.
As of 2025, recent NYPD data indicates a significant reduction in shooting incidents within the Bronx, with shooting victims recorded at 30 so far this year, a stark decline from 77 victims during the same timeframe in 2021. This decrease reflects ongoing efforts to combat youth violence and gun-related tragedies, which remain critical concerns for the community.
In the wake of these events, the discourse surrounding gun violence in the Bronx continues to evolve as families seek healing and communities grapple with the impact of losing young lives to senseless acts of violence.
