Police are seeking help in solving a fatal drive-by double shooting that occurred outside a Bronx catering hall.
According to a NYPD spokesman, 49th Precinct police officers responded to a call of a male shot on Thursday, December 28 at 12:30 a.m. at Bronxdale Avenue and Kinsella Street.
Upon arrival, police discovered two teenage males with gunshot wounds on the sidewalk in front of Maestro’s Caterers at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue.
The first victim, Sincear Williams, a 16-year-old Clason Point resident, sustained a gunshot wound to his neck and was found unconscious and unresponsive at the scene.
EMS transported the Harry S. Truman High School sophomore to Jacobi Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The second victim, an unidentified 17-year-old, suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm and was transported to Jacobi Hospital in stable condition.
As of press time, no arrests have been made and no suspects were identified in this ongoing investigation.
Police could not say at this time whether the victims were guests or party crashers, or were just by-standers.
Emergency Service Unit and 49th Precinct police officers were investigating the scene in front at Bronxdale Avenue between Van Nest and Morris Park avenues on Thursday morning and afternoon.
According to published reports, a Sweet 16 party had just concluded at the catering hall when a fight broke out just prior to the drive-by shooting.
Police did not confirm what started the argument or if Williams and the 17-year-old victim were the intended targets.
“Maestro’s Caterers is a family owned business which has been a part of the Bronx community for many years and has hosted many Sweet 16 parties and nothing of this nature has ever occurred,” stated a Maestro’s Caterers spokesman.
“Our condolences go out to the families of those involved in that night’s horrific act of violence. We are fully cooperating with authorities in their investigation, ” he concluded.
“Maestro’s is such a well-known and respected establishment. Our community hates to see any kind of tragedy happen anywhere near there,” expressed Joseph Thompson, 49th Precinct Community Council president. “To my knowledge, the 49th Precinct is doing its best to solve this case.”
Thompson added Maestro’s is a community-minded business that is always the first to help.
The business is the sponsor of the yearly 49th Precinct Community Leaders Awards and has donated turkeys for the 49th Precinct Community Council’s holiday food drive every year.
“Here’s yet another senseless killing caused by gun violence which impacts the lives of the victims, their families and our community,” said Councilman Mark Gjonaj. “One life lost is always one too many and instances such as these remind us that we need to be vigilant of our surroundings and work harder to remove guns from our streets.”
A fond patron of Maestro’s, Gjonaj said he will continue to host his annual Senior Tea Party, holiday and wedding celebrations there.
“These shootings won’t tarnish Maestro’s reputation as this could have happened anywhere,” he said.
“It’s very upsetting that this tragedy happened right on our community’s doorstep. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time,” expressed Al D’Angelo, Morris Park Community Association president.
D’Angelo said MPCA’s Neighborhood Patrol is working with residents to obtain any information that can aid police in their investigation.
Williams will be waked on Monday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 9 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Eternity Funeral Services on 725 E. Gun Hill Road.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help Williams’ family cover funeral expenses.
If interested in donating, visit www.gofun
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or the 49th Precinct Detective Squad at (718) 918-2038. All calls are kept strictly confidential.
