Two 13-year-old boys charged with murder in the Bronx have become the face of a terrifying 136% increase in youth gun possession across New York City, exposing the catastrophic failures of liberal crime policies.
Key Takeaways
- Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested for the fatal shooting of innocent bystander Daoud Marji, 28, highlighting an alarming surge in youth violence in NYC
- Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch directly blames the state’s “Raise the Age” law for the dramatic increase in juvenile crime, with underage shooters rising by 192% since 2018
- Youth gun violence statistics show disturbing trends: 28 children under 18 have been shooting victims this year, with 17 adolescents arrested for shootings
- Four adolescents under 14 have been arrested in the Bronx for similar shooting incidents within just a six-week period
- The victim’s father had warned his son against visiting the Bronx due to safety concerns, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in Democrat-run NYC
13-Year-Old Killers: The Deadly Shooting That Shocked NYC
The arrest of two 13-year-old boys for the fatal shooting of a plumber’s apprentice has exposed the horrifying reality of juvenile crime spiraling out of control in New York City. Daoud Marji, a 28-year-old from Yonkers, was struck in the head by a stray bullet while simply meeting a friend in the Bronx. Surveillance video shows Marji was hit while returning to a convenience store on University Avenue near West Kingsbridge Road. The shooting also injured a 33-year-old woman who was nearby when the shots were fired.
The first teen surrendered to police and was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and criminal use of a firearm. The second 13-year-old was apprehended at LaGuardia Airport as he returned from Miami. Both boys were reportedly “acting in concert” during the shooting, though investigators haven’t determined which teen fired the fatal shot. Authorities confirmed that four teens wearing ski masks and dark sweatsuits fled the scene in a gray Honda Civic following the shooting.
A Father’s Heartbreak and Failed Liberal Policies
The devastating impact of this senseless violence extends far beyond the immediate victims. Saed Marji, the father of the slain man, expressed his profound grief following the loss of his son. “I’m a strong man, but I’m shocked. I have to take care of my family. My wife, she’s very bad. What am I going to do? He was my blood,” said Saed Marji, the victim’s father.
“These are babies killing babies and it has to stop,” stated Jessica Tisch, Police Commissioner.
Most tragically, Marji’s father had previously warned his son against traveling to the Bronx due to safety concerns. His fears proved justified as the borough has become a hotspot for juvenile crime. The two arrested teens are among four adolescents under 14 arrested in the Bronx for similar incidents within just six weeks, demonstrating the deteriorating security situation under Democrat leadership that has prioritized coddling criminals over protecting law-abiding citizens.
The Alarming Statistics Behind Youth Violence
The case of Daoud Marji is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of juvenile crime. In the days following the arrest of the second 13-year-old, a 15-year-old boy was shot and wounded in a separate incident in the Bronx. Two 17-year-old boys with no criminal histories were also struck by stray bullets in another Bronx shooting. Both teens were hospitalized and are reportedly in stable condition, but authorities confirmed they were not the intended targets.
“The troubling violence comes just days after Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch revealed that youth violence has skyrocketed in the Big Apple — and placed the blame on the state’s contentious ‘Raise the Age’ law,” reported Jessica Tisch, Police Commissioner.
The statistics paint a grim picture of the consequences of liberal crime policies. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of minors caught with guns increased by a staggering 136%. Even more alarming, the number of underage shooters rose by 192%, while juvenile victims of gun violence increased by 81%. These devastating numbers directly correlate with the implementation of New York’s “Raise the Age” law, which moved 16- and 17-year-old offenders from criminal court to family court, reducing consequences and enabling violent behavior.
The Consequences of Soft-on-Crime Policies
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has been outspoken about the connection between the surge in youth violence and progressive policies that prioritize rehabilitation over consequences. At a recent crime statistics briefing alongside Mayor Eric Adams, Tisch revealed that 28 children under 18 have been shooting victims this year, with 17 adolescents arrested for shootings. These numbers demonstrate how liberal policies have failed to protect both the community and the very youth they claim to help.
“The number of kids under the age of 18 busted with a gun increased by a whopping 136% between 2018 and 2024,” reported the top cop at a crime stats briefing held at City Hall.
The deadly consequences of these failed policies are borne by innocent victims like Daoud Marji and his devastated family. When young teenagers have such easy access to firearms and feel emboldened to use them with minimal consequences, communities suffer. President Trump’s administration consistently advocated for stronger law enforcement measures and accountability for violent criminals of all ages – an approach that stands in stark contrast to the permissive policies that have allowed juvenile crime to flourish in Democrat-controlled cities like New York.
