Spring Break
Shootings mar Harlem's Memorial Day weekend
May 28, 2008
By Rocco Parascandola - NewsdayIssue date: 5/22/08 Section: Real News
The Harlem of 2008 is gentrified, moneyed and decidedly less violent than it was a generation ago. But New York City still has a gun problem, and as Memorial Day wound down to a close, gunfire rang out on Lenox Avenue as people ran for their lives, police said yesterday.
Six teens were struck and wounded in that Monday shooting, police said, but that told only half the story of violence in the area. An additional four people were wounded in four unrelated shootings in another part of Harlem.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly on Tuesday lamented, "the apparent ease with which teens are able to acquire illegal guns and to use them without regard to the consequences."
And the group Harlem Mothers Stop Another Violent End said it's clear the youth of Harlem are in danger.
"What are we going to do about all this gun violence?" said Jackie Rowe-Adams, who cofounded the group after two of her four sons were murdered. "Who's giving our 13- and 9-year-olds all these guns? I call on the parents. Parents, take charge of your children."
Detectives were still questioning a 15-year-old boy late yesterday who was arrested on gun possession charges less than two hours after the Lenox Avenue shootings.
Police said he was seen throwing to the ground a .38-caliber handgun, the same type of gun used in the shooting. Ballistics tests were being conducted on shell casings.
The teen told detectives he found the gun earlier, police said. He was sticking to his story, police said, and detectives had not been able to determine what prompted the 10:10 p.m. gunfire Monday.
Detectives are also trying to determine if the shooting is connected to a 9:30 p.m. incident in which someone was seen firing in the air at nearby Mount Morris Park.
Police sources said some victims have not cooperated with detectives. None are affiliated with a gang.
Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said none could recall any previous dispute that may have sparked the gunfire.
Six teens were struck and wounded in that Monday shooting, police said, but that told only half the story of violence in the area. An additional four people were wounded in four unrelated shootings in another part of Harlem.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly on Tuesday lamented, "the apparent ease with which teens are able to acquire illegal guns and to use them without regard to the consequences."
And the group Harlem Mothers Stop Another Violent End said it's clear the youth of Harlem are in danger.
"What are we going to do about all this gun violence?" said Jackie Rowe-Adams, who cofounded the group after two of her four sons were murdered. "Who's giving our 13- and 9-year-olds all these guns? I call on the parents. Parents, take charge of your children."
Detectives were still questioning a 15-year-old boy late yesterday who was arrested on gun possession charges less than two hours after the Lenox Avenue shootings.
Police said he was seen throwing to the ground a .38-caliber handgun, the same type of gun used in the shooting. Ballistics tests were being conducted on shell casings.
The teen told detectives he found the gun earlier, police said. He was sticking to his story, police said, and detectives had not been able to determine what prompted the 10:10 p.m. gunfire Monday.
Detectives are also trying to determine if the shooting is connected to a 9:30 p.m. incident in which someone was seen firing in the air at nearby Mount Morris Park.
Police sources said some victims have not cooperated with detectives. None are affiliated with a gang.
Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said none could recall any previous dispute that may have sparked the gunfire.
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