Mott Haven community mourns grandfather killed by stray bullet
Neighbors gathered at the Mitchel Houses to honor Edger Spence, lighting candles, releasing balloons and sharing memories of a man many called the “grandpa” of the development.
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A Bronx community is grieving and demanding answers after a 78-year-old man was shot and killed while sitting in his wheelchair in Mott Haven.
Neighbors gathered at the Mitchel Houses to honor Edger Spence, lighting candles, releasing balloons and sharing memories of a man many called the “grandpa” of the development.
“Papa, you are forever, forever, forever, forever missed,” said Mimi Singleton, his adopted granddaughter.
Police say the shooting happened around 10:25 p.m. on April 16. Investigators believe the bullet that killed Spence was not intended for him.
Singleton said Spence was a guiding figure for many young people in the neighborhood.
“When he saw that you were in trouble, he was the male figure that we could go to,” she said. “I have no one I can trust and guide me.”
Singleton, the founder of Peace N Love, said she now hopes to carry on his legacy by mentoring children in the community.
“We are all their parents, and it takes a village to bring them up,” she said.
Family and friends are also calling for accountability, urging NYCHA to release any surveillance images or video that could help identify the shooter.
“NYCHA put cameras in all of these developments—where are the photos of the individual?” one person at the vigil said.
Singleton also pleaded with neighbors to step in and help stop the violence.
“If you see something, intervene and do something,” she said.
Police have not announced any arrests and continue searching for the gunman.
