What to Know
- The 5-year-old boy was hit in the head by a stray bullet as he walked with his dad to a waiting car in the Bronx Monday, cops say
- The bullet was fired by a gunman who shot at another man four times, police say
- The child remained hospitalized in grave condition Tuesday
More than 100 people marched in the Bronx to demand an end to gun violence after a stray bullet struck a 5-year-old boy in the head on his birthday.
"Enough is enough," the group chanted.
Jaheem Hunter was walking outside with his dad on Monday on Washington Avenue in Morrisania when a gunman fired bullets and one of them struck the 5-year-old in the head. Surveillance video showed people ducking for cover and one person racing away from the scene.
"It's very difficult to witness a child being gunned down," his mother, Asia Holmes, told the crowd Friday night. She struggled to talk about what happened to her son.
"He's a fighter," she said. "He's a warrior. He's doing better every day."
Jaheem remains in critical condition at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
The crowd lit candles for Jaheem and NYPD officers joined them.
"God is keeping him alive and we believe in miracles," his father, Charles Hunter, said.
"Stop this violence from these guns," he said.
Michael Quiles, 27, was arrested on attempted murder charges in the shooting. Quiles has 10 prior arrests, including for assault, criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana, and served time in prison for attempted kidnapping, sources say.
Information on a lawyer for Quiles wasn't immediately available.
People booed Quiles as he was led from the police station Tuesday evening, shouting "Burn in hell" and "New York hates you." He said nothing as he was put into a police car.
