Loved ones say goodbye to teen bystander slain in Morrisania schoolyard shooting

Family, friends and community members packed a funeral home in Throgs Neck Saturday to say their goodbyes to Evette Jeffrey.

Tim Harfmann

May 18, 2025, 1:40 AM

Updated 3 hr ago

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It was a final farewell to a 16-year-old Bronx girl who was fatally shot on Monday in Morrisania.
Family, friends and community members packed a funeral home in Throgs Neck Saturday to say their goodbyes to Evette Jeffrey.
Many loved ones wore purple – Jeffrey’s favorite color.
The teen was an innocent bystander and riding her scooter in the schoolyard at Bronx Latin, when police said a 14-year-old boy opened fire and struck Evette in the head with a stray bullet.
Officials said another teenager handed the boy that gun.
The victim’s family said Evette was a student at Morris High School and had dreams of going to college to become a medical technician.
Her uncle, Jose Sanchez, said his niece was a shining star with a big personality.
“We’re suffering,” Sanchez said. “We’re hurt. We’re confused. [She was] 16 years old, beautiful kid, wonderful, biggest spirit. The community has been just an outpouring of love. They have been really good to us.”
The 14-year-old pleaded not guilty on Thursday. He is charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon.