She Was Just Riding Her Scooter on the Street. Then a Chaotic Fight Broke Out, and She Never Made It Home

• Evette Jeffrey, a 16-year-old girl, was fatally shot in the head while riding her scooter past a South Bronx school
• Police say a 14-year-old boy is now in custody, though charges have not been announced
• Jeffrey’s death has devastated her family and sparked renewed concern over youth violence in New York City

A 16-year-old girl in the Bronx was fatally shot near a school as she rode past on her scooter on Monday, May 12. 

The girl, identified by police as Evette Jeffrey, was shot in the head. Authorities say that two groups of teens were arguing near the school before a brawl broke out near the Bronx Latin School building, NBC New York reported 

A gun was passed over to one of the teens involved in the fight and shots were fired into the crowd. Jeffrey was an unintentional target, the outlet reported, citing police. 

Police say they have a 14-year-old boy in custody who they allege is connected to the shooting, NBC New York reported. He was arrested by the U.S. Marshals and NYPD officers on Tuesday, May 13, but officials have not announced any charges. 

When officers responded to 911 calls and a notification from a gunfire detection system on May 12 around 5 p.m., they arrived in the South Bronx neighborhood to find Jeffrey with a gunshot wound to the head, The New York Times reported. She was later taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

“Our city has suffered another senseless tragedy tonight,” Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissioner said at a news conference, according to the Times. She added that security camera captured the fight on video. 

The brawl started when a group of children entered a walkway alongside the school, Tisch said, per the outlet. Amid the fighting, one boy punched another in the face, knocking him to the ground, and then began punching several other children. The boy who had been punched was handed a gun and began running towards the boy who had attacked him. He allegedly fired three rounds into the crowd. 

While the fight was unfolding, Jeffrey, who was riding her scooter past the school, walked over to another boy who tried to pull her behind a brick wall for cover, Tisch said. When the shots were fired, she fell to the ground after being struck in the head and the other children scattered, running around for safety. 

“She should be home right now, eating dinner with her family,” Tisch said about Jeffrey. “But instead, we’re talking about another child victim of gun violence.” Adding that when she called the mother, she was inconsolable, “She got the worst phone call that no parent should ever get.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Jeffrey’s family told Gothamist that they are processing the 16-year-old’s death. They said she dreamed of becoming a medical technician when she grew up, had several pets she loved and was excited to go to college. 

“I don’t forgive you. I hold your family responsible, because they should be watching,” Jeffrey’s grandmother, Lizette Ramirez said about the shooter, to the outlet. “She’s forever 16. You took her away from us.”