Police Recover 16 Firearms Following Fatal Shooting in Mount Eden

Following the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx, the New York Police Department reported a significant uptick in weapon recoveries within the 44th Precinct. According to law enforcement, officers assigned to the Bronx Dominican Day Parade and subsequent community activities seized 16 firearms and executed 16 gun-related arrests.

Among the weapons recovered during the enforcement operation was an assault rifle, police stated. The weekend's events follow a pattern of heightened security concerns in the area; authorities noted that last year, the parade route was the site of multiple shootings and a stabbing incident.

In connection with the death of Freytes and the wounding of two other men on Saturday, police have charged 45-year-old William Ferrer with murder and additional criminal counts. During his arraignment on Sunday evening, Ferrer entered a plea of not guilty. He is currently being held without bail. Counsel for the defendant has stated that Ferrer is presumed innocent and intends to contest the charges in court.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson addressed the incident on social media, describing the violence as a distressing indicator of the ongoing challenges regarding firearm prevalence in the city. "The work continues," Gibson wrote, emphasizing the persistent nature of the community's struggle against gun violence.

As of Monday, the investigation into the weekend's events remains active. The NYPD has not provided further details regarding the specific circumstances leading to each of the 16 arrests made during the parade enforcement efforts.