A bullet grazed a teacher inside a Bronx classroom at MS 391 when it came through a window on Wednesday.
A stray bullet entered a sixth-floor window of Angelo Patri Middle School while a 33-year-old teacher was inside, busy preparing for the first day of school, according to the police.
According to the police, the teacher suffered a minor injury on their hand. They were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and were subsequently released.
Another teacher was present in the classroom during the incident, but fortunately, they were unharmed, as confirmed by the police.
According to the police, the school was empty of both children inside and outside during that time.
Detectives have stated that the school was not specifically targeted and they believe that the gunshot was fired from a significant distance away, although the exact location remains unclear. In an effort to gather more information, investigators thoroughly searched rooftops and thoroughly combed the surrounding area throughout Wednesday afternoon. At this time, the police have not identified any suspects in connection with the incident
CBS News New York’s Naveen Dhaliwal had an exclusive interview with Jhairo Colon, the victim who is a teacher of math and special education.
“I was on the sixth floor when it happened,” he recalls with disbelief. “Out of nowhere, I heard a whizzing sound followed by a sudden pop. The next thing I knew, I was bleeding and the pain started to set in.”
Colon revealed that he had to get seven stitches to his hand, which is now covered in a bandage.
“It hit me right here,” he pointed to the side of his right hand. “So, yeah, I was just standing there when it hit me, and I ended up needing seven stitches in this spot.”
Colon had planned to be present in the classroom on Thursday to welcome the students on their first day. However, he has decided to take a short break for a few days.
“I’m incredibly grateful that I’m unharmed. I thank God that the impact was limited to my hand and not elsewhere. With some time and rest, I hope to recover fully in a few days,” he expressed relief.
In an effort to prioritize the safety of students and staff, the police have announced that there will be an increased school safety presence on Thursday. This proactive measure is being taken as a precautionary step to ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
A concerned parent at the middle school expressed to CBS News New York’s Zinnia Maldonado that the incident has caused anxiety for both her and her 13-year-old son.
“We are becoming increasingly concerned as we see a lot of children arriving here. It worries us, especially when we hear about what is happening in some other states. It’s something like this, and it’s just crazy,” expressed Hassatou Barry, a parent.
“The detective bureau is putting in a lot of effort to uncover the source of this round and identify the person responsible for firing it. We are actively conducting thorough searches of nearby rooftops to collect ballistic evidence and video footage. We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist us in our investigation. If you have any information, please contact us at 1-800-577-TIPS,” emphasized Chief Louis Deceglie, commanding officer of Bronx detectives at the NYPD.
The Department of Education released a statement in response to the shooting, expressing their deep concern and condemnation for the act of violence. They emphasized the gravity of the situation and their commitment to providing further support to the affected school community.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson has issued the following statement:
“On the eve of a new school year, we experienced a deeply troubling incident that should never occur in our community. One of our educators was struck by a stray bullet while preparing their classroom for instruction. An event that is both unacceptable and profoundly concerning. We are immensely relieved and grateful that he is recovering, but this situation highlights a broader public safety issue that demands our urgent attention.“Our schools should be sanctuaries of learning and growth, not places of fear. The safety of our students and educators must be a top priority, and incidents like these underscore the need for more effective measures to protect our residents from gun violence. Out of precaution, we are adding additional school support staff, including counselors at MS 391, and additional School Safety Agents.“We want to reassure our educators and parents that our children will be safe returning to school tomorrow. To ensure their continued safety, we will continue to work with local law enforcement and community leaders to keep our scholars, educators, and school staff safe in and out of the classroom. Our thoughts are with the affected teacher and his family, and we stand united in our determination to foster a safe and supportive educational atmosphere for all.”
