Arrest in PAL Killing of Teen

Police announced the arrest of a man in the fatal shooting of a teen outside a PAL center. Cops had been searching for a Jeep in connection with the January shooting. -Photo by NYPD

Gunman Opened Fire in Front of Police Athletic League 

By Dan Gesslein 

Bronx Voice

July 6, 2023

BRONX - Police announced the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 15–year-old boy outside a Bronx Police Athletic League center from back in January.

Police just announced the arrest of 20-year-old Jamir Scarboro. He was charged with murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, attempted assault in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

At around 9 pm on January 19, a Jeep was traveling eastbound on Longwood Avenue coming upon the Police Athletic League (PAL) center. As a group of teens was exiting the center and milling about the front, the driver tuned the vehicle to the opposite direction and parked a block away on Longwood and Beck Street.

The driver exited the Jeep and walked over to the PAL. When he reached the center he pulled out a handgun and fired three rounds into the crowd.

One of the bullets struck 15-year-old Josue Lopez-Ortega in the head. He subsequently died at Lincoln Hospital. Another 16 year-old was shot in the leg.

The gunman then ran back to the car and took off.