Four suspects, including two teenagers, have been arrested for their involvement in a mass shooting in a Bronx park that resulted in a murder.
Four individuals, including two teenagers, have been apprehended in connection with a tragic shooting incident in Bronx’s Haffen Park, which resulted in one death and four injuries. Authorities announced the arrests on Monday, detailing the events that unfolded during a community basketball tournament on Saturday evening.
The shooting erupted around 7:25 PM, where more than 40 rounds were reportedly fired. Police recovered six firearms from the scene, yet the motives behind the gunfire remain under investigation. The incident left Jaceil Blanks, 32, fatally wounded and an innocent 17-year-old girl, Anthonaya Campbell, critically injured. Campbell was shot in the back of the head, and the bullet is currently lodged behind her eye. She remains in critical condition at Jacobi Medical Center, the same facility where Blanks was pronounced dead.
Those arrested include 20-year-old Daeven Reyes, 25-year-old Robert Royal, and two male minors aged 16 and 17. Each has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm. They were presented in Bronx Criminal Court, with the minors’ details being withheld to protect their identities.
Anthonaya, who was visiting her former neighborhood, was present at the basketball tournament when the gunfire erupted. Just hours before, her mother, Jennifer Talbot, celebrated her graduation and the achievement of her Ph.D. in psychology from Heart Bible International University in Connecticut. This ceremonial joy turned into despair as Talbot rushed to her daughter’s side at the hospital, reflecting on how her celebratory day transformed into a nightmare.
Other victims from the shooting include a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, both of whom suffered gunshot wounds to the back. They managed to reach Jacobi Medical Center via private transportation and are currently in stable condition. Additionally, a 42-year-old man was transported to Montefiore Hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm and is also expected to recover.
Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene, with one nearby resident recalling that they and their guests hurried to safety as the gunfire began. This tragic incident has underscored the ongoing issues of gun violence in urban communities and has left the local population reeling from the sudden eruption of violence in a setting meant for celebration and community bonding.
As the investigation continues, community leaders and residents alike are calling for increased measures to ensure safety during public events, reflecting a growing concern over the frequency of violent incidents in neighborhoods.
