5 Shot In Overnight Gun Violence At 2 Separate Scenes In Yonkers

YONKERS, NY — Five people were wounded in overnight gun violence as shots rang out twice in the span of less than two hours.

Police said there was the possibility at the onset of the investigation that the two separate shootings were related, but that cannot be confirmed at this time.

Just after 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, police were called to the Pitkin Park area on Locust Hill Avenue on reports of gunfire. Officers found two shooting victims there, who were rushed to the hospital. The victims are an 18-year-old woman, who was shot in her right elbow and an 18-year-old man, who was shot on the right side of his chest below the collarbone, possibly puncturing a lung. The female's condition is stable at this time and the male is listed in critical but stable condition.

Just about two hours later, at 11 p.m., Yonkers police were called to the area of 43 School Street on new reports of shots fired.

This time, officers found three shooting victims.

A 42-year old man was shot once in the back. The bullet passed through to his chest. He is listed in critical but stable condition.

A 30-year-old woman was shot in her right arm. The bullet passed through her chest cavity and is now lodged in her left arm. She is also listed in critical but stable condition

A 41-year-old man was also shot in the back . The bullet hit his spleen and colon. He is listed as being in stable condition.

"The flow of illegal weapons going into the hands of our kids in urban setings can only stop if the federal government is willing to make the decision, make the changes necessary for this to happen," Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said at a media briefing held Sunday morning.

Police said there were two shots fired during the first shooting and 13 shots fired in the second incident Saturday night.

According to Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza, the first shooting took place during a memorial service in the park, where there may have been a gang presence. He said it was a target of opportunity. It doesn’t seem that there was any return fire. In both cases, it seems that the victims were shot at.

“The Yonkers Police Department does not tolerate senseless acts of violence and the likes of what we saw last night," Sapienza said. "Those who wish to do such harm to our residents in such heinous acts have no place in this city. Our investigators will be working tirelessly to identify and apprehend the perpetrators for both of these incidents.”

Both scenes remain cordoned off. The Major Case Squad, Crime Scene Unit and Gang Unit are investigating.

If anyone has any information about either of these incidents, they are asked to contact the Detective Division at 914-377-7724 or to submit anonymous tips by texting "YPD" and the tip to 847411.