By SÍLE MOLONEY
POLICE CORDON OFF the crime scene at Mitchel Houses NYCHA complex located at 225 Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx after a 78-year-old resident was shot at 205 Alexander Avenue while apparently sitting on a bench on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Image courtesy of the Citizens’ App
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has shared her reaction to the fatal shooting of a 78-year-old Mitchel Houses NYCHA resident in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx on Thursday night, April 16.
Police said officers received a 911 call at for a report of an assault at 205 Alexander Avenue (located in the vicinity of NYCHA’s Mitchel Houses, located at 225 Alexander Avenue) on Thursday night at around 10.25 p.m.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 78-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound to the torso,’ a police spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the victim to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln where he was pronounced deceased. There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.”
POLICE CARRY OUT an investigation of the crime scene in the vicinity of Mitchel Houses NYCHA complex located at 225 Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx after a 78-year-old resident was shot at 205 Alexander Avenue, while apparently sitting on a bench on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Image courtesy of the Citizens’ App
Police said the deceased has been identified as Edgar Spence of Alexander Avenue, Bronx.
Gibson later said on Friday, “So unbelievably sad, so upsetting and heartbreaking to learn of a 78-year old resident of Mitchel Houses who was fatally shot last night while sitting on a bench. It’s completely unacceptable that an older adult lost his life in his own community. He was not the intended target yet someone’s actions took his life.”
She added, “Our sincere condolences and prayers of love to his family, friends and neighbors. We will connect with family members and understand how we can support loved ones during this unimaginable pain. Another act of violence. Too many weapons in our streets and family’s permanent pain. We have so much work to do.” The statement was followed by two dove/peace emojis and two hand prayer emojis.
POLICE CARRY OUT an investigation of the crime scene in the vicinity of Mitchel Houses NYCHA complex located at 225 Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx after a 78-year-old resident was shot at 205 Alexander Avenue, while apparently sitting on a bench on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Image courtesy of the Citizens’ App
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.
All calls are strictly confidential.