NEW YORK, NY – A tragic shooting incident in the Bronx on Saturday left one woman dead and two children injured, leading to the arrest of a suspect.
Police responded to a report of an assault at an apartment building on East 203rd Street and Valentine Avenue around 5 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a woman with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso, a 16-year-old boy shot in the buttocks, and a 9-year-old boy shot in the arm.
The woman, identified as 40-year-old Saida Xiomara Bonilla Mejia, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The two children, who are Bonilla’s nephews, are in stable condition, with authorities confirming they were not the intended targets of the shooting.
The suspect, 37-year-old Rosvin A. Mejia Castillo, has been taken into custody and is facing charges including murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. According to police, Mejia Castillo was in a relationship with the victim.
Devastated family members revealed that Bonilla had expressed concerns about abuse from her boyfriend, with her younger brother, Kalvin Mejia-Reyes, expressing regret for not being able to protect her. Bonilla’s family described her as a talented hairstylist and a great cook who had immigrated from Honduras about 10 years ago.
Neighbors reported hearing yelling before the shooting, expressing shock over the tragic incident. The community is left reeling from the senseless violence that has claimed the life of a beloved member and left two children traumatized.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking and devastating tragedy.