The number of kids pulling the trigger in shootings in the city has skyrocketed 133% in the nine-year span since a lefty Albany law gave young offenders carte blanche to run amok, NYPD data obtained by The Post show.
Fifty-six children have been arrested or identified as suspects in shootings so far this year, more than twice as many at the same point in 2017 when there were 24, the data show.
The only time the number of teens arrested for shootings was higher was in 2021 when there were 57 and 2022 when there were 76, the data shows.
The controversial law, called Raise the Age, signed by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2017 and later backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, bumped up the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18, and allowed suspects as old as 21 to be housed in juvenile detention facilities rather than in adult jails.
“All these people are being treated like juveniles, and they’re going to family court, and they’re probably being released,” said John Jay College of Criminal Justice adjunct professor Michael Alcazar, a former NYPD detective. “So the punishment isn’t being equated with the crime.”
NYPD Commissioner Tisch announced stunning statistics last week showing that the number of shootings being pinned on teens has increased to 21% from 19% at this time last year even as overall crime has dropped.
“Unfortunately, each year the percentage of those shooting incidents that are committed by kids, people under the age of 18, continues to rise,” said Tisch.
Teen shootings have happened across the city, with one sending Times Square tourists scrambling on June 19 when a 17-year-old fired a gun in broad daylight at West 44th Street and Broadway.
The young suspect, whose name wasn’t publicly released because he’s underage, was swiftly captured by cops, and a Glock pistol was recovered, law-enforcement sources said. He was charged with attempted murder, assault and weapon possession.
Investigators were probing whether the gunfire stemmed from a bitter gang rivalry, according to the sources. It wasn’t clear if he was sent to a juvenile detention facility or released.
In another disturbing incident, a 15-year-old boy was shot and left paralyzed from the waist down on a rush-hour subway in Queens.
The victim was fighting with a 16-year-old who was with the shooter on April 27 as the train approached the 80th Street station in Ozone Park, Queens, prosecutors said. Matthew Rodriguez, 18, allegedly grabbed a firearm from the 16-year-old and fired multiple rounds, striking the teen, cops said.
Both Rodriguez and the 16-year-old were indicted on charges of attempted murder, assault and weapon possession. Rodriguez was ordered held without bail. His attorney didn’t return a call seeking comment.
The 16-year-old had allegedly shot and wounded the same 15-year-old in another incident in February, police sources said. It’s not clear if he was sent to a juvenile detention center or released.
“He’s paralyzed from the waist down,” the victim’s mother, who only wanted to be identified as Ms. Davidson, previously told The Post. “He had eight [blood] transfusions. Both of his jaws are broken. His lung is pierced and his liver is pierced as well.”
Gotham moms are worried about their own kids.
“I live in the Bronx, and it happens constantly,” said Myrna Rosado, 63. “Sixteen and 15-year-olds go to the park, and innocent kids get hurt. It’s insane there.”
A Brooklyn carpenter said teen shooters shouldn’t be coddled.
“I would say that when you’re 16 you still know right from wrong,” said David Ramos, 45.
“Age is not an issue for me,” he said. “If you do something horrible, you should be punished for it.”
One man said if kids are shooting guns they should face real consequences.
“I think that’s certain crimes, if it involves attempted murder, then it should be tried differently,” said the man, who gave his name as Andrew S. “Kids shouldn’t be taught that no matter what they do they won’t get in trouble.”
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