Tragedy struck a Bronx, New York City neighborhood when two masked gunmen riding scooters unleashed a barrage of gunfire, resulting in one fatality and three injuries.
The attack occurred near East Mount Eden Avenue and Townsend Avenue at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, adding to the city’s growing concerns over the use of scooters in violent crimes.
The deceased, 29-year-old Miguel Doleo, suffered fatal shots to his chest and leg. He was pronounced dead after being rushed to BronxCare Health System. The three injured men, aged 37, 31, and 23, all sustained gunshot wounds to their legs, according to Assistant NYPD Chief Benjamin Gurley, who provided details at a Tuesday evening press conference.
Witness Wilknes Hernandez, 20, recalled the shock of the event, saying, “One was unconscious [and] the other guy was shot in the leg. I can’t believe what my eyes were seeing.”
The assailants, described as wearing hoodies and masks, discharged ten shots each before managing to flee the scene, heading northbound toward the Cross Bronx Expressway, sparking a manhunt. Although one person was detained for questioning, his direct involvement in the shooting remains uncertain.
The NYPD is probing whether gang activity played a role in the shooting. “It appears so, though it’s not confirmed,” an NYPD spokesperson remarked following the incident, underscoring the difficulties in ascertaining the motives for such violent acts.
In a sordid twist to the story, the victim, Deleo, was scheduled to appear in criminal court on Wednesday morning stemming from an incident on November 11, 2023, that involved evading police, weapon possession, reckless endangerment, and driving without a license, as stated in court records.
On November 10, Doleo was reportedly driving a stolen 2019 Acura MDX when police attempted to stop him at the intersection of Jarvis Ave. and Bruckner Blvd. in Pelham Bay. Instead of stopping, Doleo hit a moped and fled the vehicle on foot but was apprehended early the next day. The moped’s rider was unharmed.
Doleo’s family was deeply affected by their loss. His sister, Erica Delgado, expressed her heartache, stating, “He was my brother. He unfortunately found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was a wonderful father and a caring brother. He took on the role of a father to my son.”
This shooting has intensified the debate over using scooters and similar vehicles in the city. Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry emphasized the NYPD’s commitment to curbing the menace of illegal scooters, dirt bikes, and ATVs. “This is a prime example of why we’re doing this to individuals on these scooters,” Daughtry remarked during the press conference.
Since the beginning of the year, the NYPD has confiscated 9,500 such vehicles, including 2,500 in the Bronx alone, and has made 1,300 arrests concerning scooter-related incidents. The crackdown aims to prevent these vehicles from being used as getaway options in criminal activities.
Local residents are understandably shaken. Bronx resident Al Morillo strongly supported the crackdown, stressing the importance of control over scooter use. “They have to grab everybody from their scooter. No matter who it is making deliveries or whatever, they have to grab everybody from the scooters,” Morillo declared. His sentiments highlight the community’s anxiety over public safety.
Another local, Jean Rosario, recalled the frightful experience his wife had as she entered their home with their baby, having just witnessed the aftermath of the shooting. “She was coming into the house with our baby, crying and very upset. It’s terrifying, really terrifying,” Rosario explained to journalists. His words highlighted the emotional toll such incidents take on the community, emphasizing the unpredictability and fear that come with random acts of violence. “It’s so unpredictable; bullets don’t discriminate when gunfire erupts. It could hit me, any child, or someone just walking by,” he further noted.
As the investigation continues, the NYPD is working closely with the district attorney’s office to ensure that repeat offenders are held accountable and that justice is served for the victims of this heinous act. Chief Gurley highlighted the importance of judicial cooperation in these efforts: “When the criminal justice system holds repeat offenders accountable, that’s when we get the bang for our buck. And we’re working with the DA’s office to do that,” he stated.
