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16-Year-Old Surrenders in Bronx Apartment Killing of 15-Year-Old

The 13-day surrender has heightened scrutiny of how teenagers in New York City obtain firearms.

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Kalvin Veloz, turned himself in Tuesday and was charged with murder for allegedly firing a .45 caliber weapon at 15-year-old Riley Billingsley inside a fifth-floor apartment on Claflin Avenue near West 197th Street in Kingsbridge Heights around 5:20 p.m. Aug. 12, authorities said.
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Overview

  • The victim, 15-year-old Riley Billingslea, was shot inside a fifth-floor apartment at 2825 Claflin Ave and died at the scene after the Aug. 12 shooting.
  • Police say the suspect pulled a handgun from a backpack, loaded it, declared “I’m going to throw some pain,” and fired, striking Riley in the head and grazing a 13-year-old after a ricochet, according to NYPD detectives.
  • The 16-year-old suspect turned himself in to the 50th Precinct on Tuesday and has been charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon.
  • Family and community members held a funeral where Riley’s grandmother publicly urged peers who were present to tell investigators what they know and said she learned of the suspect’s surrender only after the service.
  • Local reporting places Riley’s death in a wider pattern of teen-involved shootings this year, a trend that could increase pressure for better witness cooperation, more policing in affected neighborhoods, and policies aimed at stopping minors’ access to guns.