A 17-year-old male from the Bronx was shot in a newly renovated Yonkers park on Saturday night, police say.
Yonkers police say the incident occurred just outside H Boo Wilson Park on Tuckahoe Road around 9:15 p.m.
They believe the shooting may be related to an argument between two groups earlier in the day. Officers say at least two shots were fired at the victim before the gunman ran away.
The City of Yonkers celebrated the renovations and reopening of the H Boo Wilson Park just a few days ago. Yonkers native, Frank Rodriguez, says the park was once all weeds.
“They fixed it up,” says Rodriguez. “The basketball courts were about half the size of what they are now."
Lifelong Yonkers resident Donna Nolan says the “playground is usually packed with kids.” After Saturday’s shooting, it was mostly empty.
“It’s just a reminder that we have a problem with illegal guns,” says Nolan. “Another 17-year-old is fighting for his life."
Rodriguez was at the park earlier in the day with his children. He says this could have been much worse.
“If it happened maybe an hour or two earlier, it would've been bad because there was basketball games going on,” says Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is one of many families who will be staying away from the park.
"I won't be bringing them out here for a while, at least until this gets figured out,” says Rodriguez.
Police are asking anyone with information to call Yonkers Police Detectives at 914-377-7724.