Photo by Joe Lamport/Horizon
A young boy fell from the roof of the Sacred Heart school on 168th Street on April 17.

Shooting, fall stun residents

By Vanessa Truell
Reporter

A 9-year-old fourth grade student from Nelson Avenue was shot accidentally by a stray bullet fired from a gun after an argument involving a group of people. The young girl was released from the hospital after treatment and an overnight stay.

It was one of two serious incidents involving children, both of which police are continuing to investigate. In another incident, a little boy fell from the roof of the Sacred Heart school. It was unclear how the boy reached the roof, although an alarm that should have sounded to alert school personnel that someone had gone up to the school's roof apparently did not.

The shooting incident was the more serious incident, some residents said, perhaps because it echoed back to a more violent time in the community and reflected violent intentions among some people. It also indicated to some that the scourge of drugs continues to haunt the neighborhood.

"It was tragic," said Lloyd McMillon, a Highbridge resident. "If you take care of the drug problem, you will take care of that."

The incident occurred after an exchange of angry words on a Sunday afternoon, April 17. It was a warm evening and lots of people were sitting outside enjoying the end of the weekend.

In Nelson Park "you had people playing basketball," said some residents who asked to remain anonymous. The park is about a block away from where young Jaimin Montilla, who suffered the wound, lives at 1190 Nelson Avenue. An argument between some people heated up, and one thing led to another, residents said.

"Next thing you know, bullets start flying, and people are scattering and running for cover," one resident said.

"It appears to be an ugly uprising again," said another resident. "I am tired of hearing about babies caught in the exchange of bullets from guns." The fact that the incident occurred in Nelson Park, which had been renovated considerably to create a haven for families and children, disturbed other residents.

"This community is about kids," said resident Michael Santiago. "Now parents are too afraid to let their children come out and play. If we as adults have to be more cautious about sitting outside, that is not good for any community."