1 Dead, Two Injured In Bronx Park Stabbing

Bronx

By Geoffrey Croft

Police responded to a fight inside St. James Park at East 191st Street & Morris Avenue just after 7:00 pm last night.

Henry Leao, 21, of the Bronx, was pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital after being stabbed multiple times in the torso.  

Two other victims, a 15-year-old and a 19-year-old male are in stable condition after also being stabbed multiple times in the torso. 

The incident occurred in the Fordham section of the Bronx within the confines of the 52nd Pct.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Police have speculated the dispute could have been gang related. 

Robber In Bronx Parks Poses As Cop Targets Teens Cell Phones

Bronx

The NYPD is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect depicted in the sketch, who is wanted in connection with 5 robberies.

All 5 incidents occurred inside city parks within the confines of the 52 Pct.

In all the cases the suspect approaches the victim and identifies himself as a Police Officer then asks for their cell phones. He then tells the victims to wait at that location while he goes to check if the phone is stolen and leaves. The suspect never returns.

1. On Wednesday, May 5 2012 at approximately 1720 hrs at Wayne & Reservoir Ave. The victim is a female Hispanic - age 14.

2. On Friday, June 1 2012 at approximately 1600 hrs at Devoe Park, University Ave & Fordham Rd. The victim is a female Hispanic - age 14.

Sketch of suspect wanted in a series of robberies in Bronx Parks mostly of young hispanic teens. (Image: DCPI)Click on image to enlarge.

3. On Monday, June 11 2012 at approximately 1600 hrs at St. James Park, Creston Ave & E 192 St. The victim is a male Hispanic -age 14.

4. On Thursday, June 14 2012 at approximately 1430 hrs at Bainbridge Ave & Oval east. The victim is a female Hispanic -age 16.

5. On Monday, July 2 2012 at approximately 2200 hrs at 2549 Jerome Ave.

The victim is a male Hispanic - age 18.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic age 25-30, 5'9" heavy build, mole on left cheek and tattoos on both forearms.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

- Geoffrey Croft

St. James Park Shooting - Off-Duty Cop Shoots 19-Year-Old After Being Fired Upon

An off-duty cop shot 19-year-old Javon Julien, who fired at him with a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol (above) yesterday evening after off-duty officers observed him shooting into St. James Park police said. Julien has been charged attempted aggravated murder of a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon and attempted assault on a police officer.

This wasn't the first time the park has seen gun fire. On August 29, 2010, 20-year-old Jelani Ciria was shot multiple times, and another teenage boy wounded, in what was decribed as a gang related hit.

Bronx

An off-duty police officer shot a 19-year-old man who had fired into a Bronx park and then shot at the officer and another officer as they pursued him, the police said Saturday, according to the New York Times.

The two officers had just gotten off duty and were on their way home when, about 8 p.m. Friday, they spotted Javon Julien at East 191 Street and Creston Avenue in the Fordham neighborhood, the police said. Mr. Julien, who lives on 116th Avenue in Queens, was firing a pistol into St. James Park in the Bronx.

When the officers confronted Mr. Julien, he ran. As the officers were chasing him, he turned and fired his .25-caliber semiautomatic at them. One of the officers returned fire, hitting Mr. Julien in the torso several times, according to a police spokesman.

Mr. Julien was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, and was listed in stable condition. He was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, attempted assault on a police officer and possession of a weapon.

The police said that it was not known why Mr. Julien was firing into the park, and that no one in the park was hurt.

The gun was recovered from the scene. The names of the officers were not released.

Read More:

Queens Man Is Shot by Off-Duty Officer in the Bronx

New York Times - May 5, 2012 - By Elizabeth A. Harris

Officers chase, shoot Bronx 'gunman' who fired at them: police

New York Post - May 5, 2012 - By Daniel Prendergast and Jessica Simeone

Off Duty Cop Shoots Man who Shot at Police after Firing into a Bronx Park

DNAinfo - May 5, 2012 - By William Gorta

Man Arrested For Knife Possession In St. James Park

Bronx

The NYPD arrested a male for possession of a knife in St. James Playground at approximately 3:30 today. The perpetrator was transported to the 52 Precinct. No other information is available at this time. - Geoffrey Croft