May 12, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested for shooting another teen Wednesday afternoon near Maspeth High School, police said.
The alleged shooter struck the 17-year-old victim in the arm at around 1:30 p.m. outside 74-02 Grand Ave., which is located on the same block as the high school.
The suspect was arrested after the incident yesterday and charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment, assault and criminal possession of a weapon, police said. His name has been withheld for legal reasons and cops did not disclose whether he is a student at Maspeth High School or not.
The incident stemmed from a dispute the suspect was having with a different teenage boy. The argument escalated and the suspect attempted to shoot that boy but missed—and a stray bullet hit the 17-year-old victim instead, police said.
The victim was in close proximity to the intended target at the time of the shooting, police said.
The injured teen ran into Maspeth High School after being struck in the left arm, according to published reports. He is a student at the school and the son of an NYPD officer, according to the New York Post.
The victim was then transported to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition, police said.
Cops apprehended two other suspects shortly after the incident but they have been let go. Police say they were not involved in the shooting.
Maspeth High School was put on lockdown following the incident, according to the NYPD’s School Safety Division. The lockdown was lifted after 3 p.m., according to a tweet by the agency.
Queens councilmember Robert Holden, who represents the district, said he visited the scene yesterday.
“My heart goes out to the victim of today’s shooting at Maspeth HS, a 17 yr-old student,” Holden wrote on Twitter yesterday.
Holden wrote that he has been concerned about issues related to the school for some time but did not provide any specifics.
My heart goes out to the victim of today’s shooting at Maspeth HS, a 17 yr-old student. I went to the scene immediately. NYPD are aware of the perpetrators. I have been concerned about issues related to the school for some time and will be in touch with police and the Chancellor. pic.twitter.com/NSFdjqXcLF
— Robert Holden (@BobHoldenNYC) May 11, 2022
Congresswoman Grace Meng also took to Twitter yesterday and condemned the shooting.
“Hoping the student makes a full recovery,” Meng wrote. “Must continue doing all we can to keep our kids safe.”