Local Girl Shot At Queensbridge Houses
By MEGAN MONTALVO
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| A 15-year-old Queensbridge Houses resident was shot in the hand early Sunday morning. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen |
While doing her homework early Sunday morning, Queensbridge Houses resident Amy Sanchez was shot in her left hand.
At 5:16 a.m., police arrived on scene and rushed the 15-year-old to New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell in Manhattan, where she underwent surgery on Monday.
According to Ray Normandeau of the Queensbridge Tenant Council, Sanchez had woken up early to finish her homework, which she often does.
As Sanchez was typing in her apartment on the third floor, Normandeau said five shots were fired nearby at 45-15 10th St. in Astoria.
A stray bullet richocheted off a neighboring wall and entered Sanchez’s apartment window where she was subsequently struck.
“This was not someone who was selling drugs or doing something wrong,” Normandeau said. “Obviously, she was trying to do the right thing by doing her homework in her apartment and this is what happened.”
Police have yet to make an arrest, but are seeking a male Black suspect wanted in connection with the gunfire. The suspect is described as 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark leather jacket with a dark baseball hat and jeans.
To increase public safety, the New York City Housing Authority released a statement on Monday detailing plans for new enhancements.
By the end of 2013, NYCHA said it will add security cameras to approximately 85 developments.
“NYCHA doesn’t have the funding to install these systems at all Developments but will install where elected officials have allocated discretionary funding for the aforementioned security measures,” the statement said. “The safety and security of our residents is of great importance to the New York City Housing Authority.”
Since the beginning of the year, NYCHA said it had a comprehensive strategy in place to improve security. The improvements included enhancing building entrance security by installing more cameras, creating improved key technology and installing modern intercom systems.
Despite the new changes, Normandeau said violence at the Queensbridge Houses has yet to decline.
The number of Citywide shootings have dipped since last year. However, locally in the 114th Precinct, crime has climbed by 10 percent.
In addition, murders have increased in the area from four last year to seven this year, and 21 people have been shot, which is four more than last year.
“Stabbings and shootings are very common here. They happen all the time,” Normandeau said. “There are a lot of safety improvements that need to be made, but it just seems like the housing authority doesn’t care because they don’t have to.”
Reach Reporter Megan Montalvo at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 128 or mmontalvo@queenstribune.com.