By Rebecca Henely
Police announced early Thursday morning that a suspect has been arrested in the Sunday shooting of a 15-year-old Queensbridge Houses girl through a window.
Day Bryant, 37, of 2850 8th Ave. in Harlem, has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment after the girl named Amy was hit in the left hand by a stray bullet while she was doing her homework early in the morning, police said.
Amy was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center in stable condition and was still in the hospital as of Wednesday night, City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said at a Police Service Area-9 meeting at 34-40 21st St. in the Ravenswood Houses in Astoria.
“Though she is clearly very shaken by what happened, she was sitting up and we were talking to her,” the councilman said.
Van Bramer, who met with Amy in the hospital at the request of her family, said he was planning to hold a march at Queensbridge Houses next Tuesday at 5 p.m. in response to the frightening incident.
“We want to have a big community rally that speaks out against gun violence, not just in Queensbridge but everywhere,” he said.
Van Bramer said Amy had been doing her homework at 5 a.m. so she could get it done before going to church. He said she ducked when she heard the shots, an action that could have saved her from being hit in the head. Two bullets had come through the window before a third had ricocheted and hit her in the hand, Van Bramer said.
He said the family came into his office after the incident.
“They wanted some help and they’re afraid,” Van Bramer said.
The councilman described Amy as a great student and writer. He said she has been writing in the hospital.
About 50 people showed up at the meeting and many were concerned both about Amy and the New York City Housing Authority’s role in keeping the peace. One man in the audience said that many rules like parking are rarely enforced by NYCHA and the agency is lax on the upkeep of security features like lighting and whether or not the doors are locked.
“What is needed is the partnership and reinforcement from NYCHA,” said Karen Dennis, president of the police community council for housing. “I don’t think that relationship is great.”
Ray Normandeau, press secretary of the Queensbridge Tenant Council, said he was glad an arrest had been made.
“I think it’s fantastic news,” Normandeau said. “Usually nobody’s apprehended.”
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
