The number of children accused of being involved in shootings across New York City has climbed sharply over the past nine years, rising 133% since the state enacted a major juvenile justice overhaul, according to NYPD data obtained by The Post.
So far this year, 56 minors have been arrested or identified as suspects in shooting incidents, the data show. At the same point in 2017, that figure stood at 24.
The only recent years with higher totals were 2021, when 57 teens had been arrested in connection with shootings, and 2022, when the number reached 76, according to the figures.
The increase has renewed scrutiny of Raise the Age, the 2017 law signed by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and later supported by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The measure raised the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 and allowed some suspects up to age 21 to be placed in juvenile detention facilities instead of adult jails.
“All these people are being treated like juveniles, and they’re going to family court, and they’re probably being released,” said John Jay College of Criminal Justice adjunct professor Michael Alcazar, a former NYPD detective. “So the punishment isn’t being equated with the crime.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted the trend last week, saying teens now account for 21% of shooting incidents, up from 19% at the same time last year, even as overall crime has declined.
“Unfortunately, each year the percentage of those shooting incidents that are committed by kids, people under the age of 18, continues to rise,” Tisch said.
The incidents have occurred in neighborhoods across the city, including a June 19 shooting in Times Square that sent tourists running after police said a 17-year-old opened fire in broad daylight near West 44th Street and Broadway.
The young suspect, whose name wasn’t publicly released because he’s underage, was swiftly captured by cops, and a Glock pistol was recovered, law-enforcement sources said. He was charged with attempted murder, assault and weapon possession.
Investigators were probing whether the gunfire stemmed from a bitter gang rivalry, according to the sources. It wasn’t clear if he was sent to a juvenile detention facility or released.
In another disturbing incident, a 15-year-old boy was shot and left paralyzed from the waist down on a rush-hour subway in Queens.
The victim was fighting with a 16-year-old who was with the shooter on April 27 as the train approached the 80th Street station in Ozone Park, Queens, prosecutors said. Matthew Rodriguez, 18, allegedly grabbed a firearm from the 16-year-old and fired multiple rounds, striking the teen, cops said.
Both Rodriguez and the 16-year-old were indicted on charges of attempted murder, assault and weapon possession. Rodriguez was ordered held without bail. His attorney didn’t return a call seeking comment.
The 16-year-old had allegedly shot and wounded the same 15-year-old in another incident in February, police sources said. It’s not clear if he was sent to a juvenile detention center or released.
“He’s paralyzed from the waist down,” the victim’s mother, who only wanted to be identified as Ms. Davidson, previously told The Post. “He had eight [blood] transfusions. Both of his jaws are broken. His lung is pierced and his liver is pierced as well.”
Gotham moms are worried about their own kids.
“I live in the Bronx, and it happens constantly,” said Myrna Rosado, 63. “Sixteen and 15-year-olds go to the park, and innocent kids get hurt. It’s insane there.”
A Brooklyn carpenter said teen shooters shouldn’t be coddled.
“I would say that when you’re 16 you still know right from wrong,” said David Ramos, 45.
“Age is not an issue for me,” he said. “If you do something horrible, you should be punished for it.”
One man said if kids are shooting guns they should face real consequences.
“I think that’s certain crimes, if it involves attempted murder, then it should be tried differently,” said the man, who gave his name as Andrew S. “Kids shouldn’t be taught that no matter what they do they won’t get in trouble.”
