Tragedy Strikes Bronx Park as Teen Shot Dead During Water Gun Fight
Bronx, NY – A cheerful water-gun fight took a tragic turn when 17-year-old Darrell Harris was shot and killed in Starlight Park on Tuesday evening, leaving his family heartbroken and another community reeling from violence.
The Incident
At approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday, a playful gathering among teens turned chaotic when one boy soaked Harris with a gel-pellet gun. According to police sources, this prompted Harris to confront the assailant, which quickly escalated when a nearby accomplice opened fire with a real firearm. Witnesses report that bullets struck Harris in the back of the head and his right arm, as bystanders looked on in horror near Sheridan Boulevard and 173rd Street.
The rapid succession of events left Harris critically injured, and he was transported to NYC Health and Hospitals/Jacobi, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
A Heartbroken Family
Grieving mother Kelli Lewis expressed her devastation to reporters, sharing that her son rarely ventured outside and had promised to return home by 9 p.m. that evening. "The one time he does ask to go outside and this transpires,” she lamented, adding that Harris had planned to join his friends for a light-hearted water gun fight amid the sweltering summer heat.
This loss is particularly painful for Lewis, who had already lost another son, Jamal Hunter, to gun violence in 2021. The tragedy unfolded on Hunter’s 20th birthday, marking an excruciating reminder of the family’s ongoing suffering.
Community Reaction
The police have not yet apprehended the shooter, who allegedly fled the scene along with the individual who instigated the water-gun fight. Investigators discovered four shell casings, a knife, and several water guns in the aftermath, underscoring the tragic juxtaposition of playfulness and violence.
Lewis emphasized the broader implications of the shooting, noting, “That’s what these kids don’t realize when they pick up these weapons— you take someone’s life but the whole family is affected by a decision that you made so quickly. That wasn’t necessary.”
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life and reflects on the pervasive issue of gun violence that continues to affect families across the city. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to bring justice for Darrell Harris.
Updates on the investigation and any potential leads will follow as this story develops.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.