NEW YORK, NY – A tragic shooting in the Bronx on Saturday has left one woman dead and two children injured, with a man now in police custody in connection to the incident. The shooting occurred in an apartment building at East 203rd Street and Valentine Avenue in the early hours of the morning, prompting a swift law enforcement response.
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a woman who had been shot multiple times in the torso, along with two children – a 16-year-old boy shot once in the buttocks and a 9-year-old boy shot once in the arm. All three victims were rushed to local hospitals, where the woman tragically succumbed to her injuries. She has been identified as 40-year-old Saida Xiomara Bonilla Mejia, while the injured boys, reported to be her nephews, are said to be in stable condition and expected to recover.
The suspected shooter, identified as 37-year-old Rosvin A. Mejia Castillo, has been taken into police custody and is facing charges including murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. Police have indicated that the suspect was the victim’s boyfriend, adding another layer of tragedy to the already devastating situation.
According to the victim’s family, Bonilla had reportedly been enduring abuse at the hands of her boyfriend for an extended period of time. Her younger brother, Kalvin Mejia-Reyes, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his sister, emphasizing that she did not deserve such a tragic fate and detailing the abusive nature of the relationship. Family members also described Bonilla as a skilled hairstylist and cook, who had immigrated to the United States from Honduras a decade ago.
Neighbors of the building where the shooting occurred expressed shock and disbelief at the violent incident, highlighting the unexpected nature of the tragedy. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the shooting, as loved ones mourn the loss of a beloved family member and seek justice for the senseless act of violence. As the investigation unfolds, details surrounding the circumstances leading up to the shooting are expected to surface, shedding light on the tragedy that has shaken the Bronx community.