A young child was wounded near a crowded Bronx storefront as investigators reviewed surveillance footage and searched for multiple gunmen.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Detectives in the Bronx continued searching Thursday for several men connected to a shooting that wounded a 5-year-old girl during a burst of gunfire outside a neighborhood bodega in the Longwood section of the borough.
The shooting unfolded Wednesday evening near 1007 Southern Blvd., where police said rival groups appeared to exchange gunfire on a crowded block lined with stores and apartment buildings. The child suffered a graze wound to her ear while walking with her mother nearby, according to investigators. Emergency crews rushed the girl to Harlem Hospital, where officials said she was in stable condition. Authorities released surveillance images Thursday as officers worked to identify suspects and determine what led to the shooting.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene shortly before 5:40 p.m. when multiple shots echoed through the street and people ran for cover. Police said gunfire shattered the glass entrance of a bodega near the corner as bystanders ducked behind parked cars and storefronts. Investigators believe the shooters were targeting another group standing near the business and that the young girl was struck unintentionally during the exchange. Residents said the area was crowded with families and commuters at the time of the shooting. One witness said several men sprinted away immediately after the shots were fired. Responding officers secured the block within minutes while detectives began collecting shell casings and reviewing nearby surveillance cameras. Police vehicles remained parked outside the storefront for hours after the shooting as officers searched for evidence.
The NYPD released video footage Thursday showing three men investigators want to question in connection with the shooting. Police said the first suspect was last seen wearing green headgear, a dark sweater and a brown backpack. Another suspect wore black clothing and carried a black backpack, while the third wore gray jeans and a black sweater with a white logo across the back. Investigators said the footage came from cameras positioned near the scene and could help detectives track the men’s movements before and after the shooting. Authorities were also examining additional surveillance recordings from neighboring businesses along Southern Boulevard. Officials said detectives were still trying to determine whether all three men fired weapons or whether others were involved. No arrests had been made by Thursday evening, and police had not publicly identified any suspects.
The shooting added to growing concern over gun violence in the Bronx involving innocent bystanders and children. In recent years, several high-profile shootings across New York City have injured people who were not intended targets, including incidents inside stores and on busy sidewalks. Community members in Longwood said the latest shooting heightened fears among parents who regularly walk children through the neighborhood after school hours. Some residents said they were troubled by how quickly violence unfolded on a heavily traveled commercial corridor. Police officials have said public shootings involving neighborhood crews or gang disputes often occur with little warning and place nearby pedestrians at risk. Investigators have not publicly confirmed whether Wednesday’s shooting was gang-related, but authorities said the gunmen appeared to be targeting another group of young men outside the store.
Detectives continued interviewing witnesses Thursday while forensic teams processed evidence collected at the scene. Investigators were expected to compare shell casings recovered from the block with evidence databases to determine whether the firearms used had been connected to earlier shootings. Officers also examined possible escape routes used by the suspects after the gunfire stopped. Police said no additional victims were found, though several witnesses reported hearing multiple rounds fired in rapid succession. The investigation remained active Thursday night as officers continued searching nearby streets and reviewing digital evidence. Authorities said prosecutors would evaluate potential charges once suspects were identified and arrested. Police officials did not announce a timeline for arrests but said the investigation remained a priority because a child was injured.
By Thursday afternoon, small groups of residents stopped near the storefront to watch investigators continue their work. Some pointed toward shattered glass still visible near the entrance while others spoke quietly about hearing gunfire the previous evening. Parents walking through the neighborhood with children moved quickly past the taped-off section of sidewalk. A nearby shop employee said the sound of the shots caused customers to drop to the floor inside surrounding businesses. Others described hearing sirens flood the area moments later as emergency crews rushed toward the scene. Community members said they hoped the release of surveillance footage would help detectives identify the men involved and prevent another shooting in the neighborhood.
The child remained hospitalized in stable condition Thursday night while police continued searching for the suspects shown in surveillance video. Detectives said additional footage and witness interviews were expected to guide the next phase of the investigation.
Author note: Last updated May 14, 2026.