Police question mother of 16-year-old girl shot in the head on Lower East Side as they search for the shooter.

NYPD detectives are conducting a thorough investigation following the shooting of a 16-year-old girl in her home on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. inside an apartment located on Stanton Street near Ridge Street. The victim is currently receiving treatment at Bellevue Hospital, where her condition is being monitored.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and the apartment was cordoned off as a crime scene by authorities. Initial reports indicate that the girl’s mother, who was present during the incident, called 911 for assistance. However, police sources describe her as “highly uncooperative” during the exchange with responders and detectives. This has raised questions regarding the events leading up to the shooting, as both figures were inside the apartment when the gun was allegedly brandished, resulting in the girl being shot in the head.

Residents of the building have reported that multiple individuals occupy the apartment, including four women and five children, with ages ranging from 1 year to 16 years. The investigation has led detectives to seek information about a young man who was seen fleeing the scene. Described as having curly hair and dressed in a gray tank top and shorts, he is considered a person of interest in this ongoing investigation.

Law enforcement officials are actively scouring the area for surveillance footage that could provide crucial evidence in their pursuit of the suspect. Concurrently, authorities executed a search warrant at the apartment, where they recovered a bullet shell casing linked to the shooting, as well as a quantity of narcotics.

Despite the alarming nature of this incident, statistical reports indicate a decrease in gun violence across the city. As of August 10, shootings have decreased by 20% compared to the same time last year, with a count of 441 incidents this year as compared to 555 in 2024. The Lower East Side, which falls under the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 7th Precinct, has seen three shooting incidents so far this year—one more than recorded in the previous year.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to this case or the fleeing suspect to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls received will be treated confidentially. The investigation continues as police work diligently to uncover the facts surrounding this shooting.