A 12-year-old girl was shot at a Bronx playground, and police have arrested a 26-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy on attempted murder charges tied to alleged gang activity.
Story Snapshot
- Police arrested 26-year-old Destin Burgess and a 13-year-old boy in the Bronx shooting.
- The 12-year-old victim was struck twice and needed surgery for chest and foot wounds.
- Investigators recovered seven shell casings and reviewed video showing suspects fleeing.
- Reports say the group flashed gang signs and shouted “Ewok” before shots were fired.
Arrests And Charges Following Playground Shooting
New York City police arrested 26-year-old Destin Burgess and charged him with attempted murder and assault after a 12-year-old girl was shot in a Bronx playground, according to local reporting that cited the department’s announcement. A 13-year-old boy was also arrested in the case. A report based on a Bronx Criminal Court complaint said neither arrested person was accused of firing the weapon, but both faced attempted murder and gun charges. Prosecutors often use accomplice rules when groups act together.
Police and reporters identified the scene as Pearly Gates Park on Tratman Avenue in the Westchester Square area. The shooting happened in the evening, around 8:30 p.m. Investigators recovered seven shell casings at or near the park, and surveillance video appeared to show suspects running after the shots. Early coverage listed different dates, with some stories naming October 10 and others October 12. Officials have not publicly resolved that detail in the open record.
Victim’s Condition And Medical Care
The 12-year-old was hit in the stomach and right foot, consistent with a serious violent-crime case. Later reporting said surgeons removed bullets from her chest and foot, and she was listed in stable condition after treatment. Police described her as an innocent bystander who was near the playground when shots were exchanged. The account underscores the harm stray bullets can do to people who have nothing to do with a fight or feud nearby.
Witness and investigative summaries linked the shooting to a group conflict. Reports said people at the scene shouted “Ewok” and flashed hand signs tied to the Makk Ballas, also known as Mac Ballers, before the gunfire. Police were still searching for additional suspects in the days after the attack. One outlet said three alleged accomplices remained at large, which can slow a full account of who planned, carried, or fired the gun.
Gang Context, Juvenile Defendant, And Open Questions
Local reports said the case was “gang-fueled,” but they largely relied on police statements and did not release formal gang assessments or affidavits in public materials. The arrest of a 13-year-old brings added limits on information because Family Court files are confidential. That privacy protects minors but also means the public sees fewer documents than in adult cases. The available coverage did not identify a specific recovered gun or forensics that tie a weapon to either arrested person.
City data give a wider frame for this event. New York City recorded the lowest number of shooting incidents in modern records in 2025, with shootings down about one quarter from 2024. At the same time, youth involvement has become a larger share of the remaining problem. A city analysis found youth gun arrests rose 136% from 2018 to 2024, and identified youth shooting suspects rose 92% in that span. That mix helps explain why one case can feel rare and still part of a pattern.
Sources:
nypost.com, newyork.news12.com, bronx.news12.com, pix11.com, ground.news, cbsnews.com, nyc.gov
