A quiet Saturday afternoon in the Bronx turned deadly when a 12-year-old boy was struck and killed by gunfire while riding his bicycle near a local grocery store, according to police.
William Ferrer, 45, was taken into custody Sunday morning and now faces a murder charge, along with two counts of attempted murder, manslaughter, six assault charges and three weapons possession charges, the NYPD confirmed.
Authorities say the shooting broke out during a confrontation outside a deli on Elliot Place near the Grand Concourse in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx. Investigators believe the boy, identified as Jacob Freytes, had no connection to the dispute and was simply riding past on his bike when the gunfire erupted around 5 p.m.
Freytes was hit in the shoulder and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed the arrest publicly, describing the shooting as a senseless act that took an innocent child’s life. She said the department remains committed to pursuing justice for the family, even though no arrest can undo the loss.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the boy leaving the store after purchasing a ball, getting on his bike, and then running back inside for safety moments later as chaos broke out. He collapsed inside the store as bystanders looked on in shock.
Two other men were also wounded in the gunfire — one shot in the foot, the other in the buttocks. Both are expected to recover.
City leaders reacted swiftly to the tragedy. New York City’s mayor called the shooting heartbreaking and said children should be able to enjoy a summer day outside without fear of violence. The city’s Public Advocate’s office echoed similar sentiments, calling for urgent action to prevent future tragedies.
Ferrer reportedly has a lengthy history of prior arrests, though police have not detailed all past charges.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue piecing together what led to the shooting.