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October 19, 2004

14-year-old girl shot in East Harlem crossfire

Melissa Gayle left her apartment at 8:30 last night to go get something to drink. Gunfire broke out between two teenagers who were arguing in a Chinese take-out restaurant, and Melissa was hit twice. She ran home, calling for her mother, but she collapsed and was soon taken to the hospital, where she died.

The Post says she became "involved" in the dispute between the two men, but the Times suggests she just got caught between them. Police are questioning one of the teens.

Friends and neighbors described Melissa as a charming, friendly girl. "She's always trying to help people. She'll give advice to anyone who has problems," said a friend, recalling how the two of them spent last Saturday night watching videos and eating fast food.

Crime in East Harlem has plummeted in the last 10 years or so, but Melissa's death has reminded everyone that it's still a problem, a problem that can destroy many lives at random and in just a few seconds.

I live a few blocks from Melissa's neighborhood and took a long walk through it last week, and was struck by how nice it is. Madison Avenue between 106th and 120th Street has undergone a great deal of redevelopment recently. Many of the buildings look almost brand new, and much of the area has an air of not just hope and potential, but actual success. But East Harlem remains a neighborhood in transition, and sadly, old East Harlem came crashing into new East Harlem last night with terrible consquences for Melissa and her family.

Update (10/21/04): An arrest has been made.

Sources: NYT, NYP

categories: Children, Homicide, Manhattan, Weapon: Gun
posted by adm at October 19, 2004 5:20 AM

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