“Could a Bronx Stairwell Shooting Derail NYC’s Record 12-Day Homicide Break—Even as Violence Surges in Key Precincts?”

A 38-year-old man was fatally shot in a Bronx apartment stairwell Sunday night, abruptly ending New York City’s historic 12-day streak without a homicide—a milestone tied only once before, in 2015. The incident, which occurred just after 9:05 p.m. at the Sotomayor Houses in Soundview, left Gregory Stewart of Wakefield dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities rushed Stewart to NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi, where he was pronounced deceased, while a person of interest was detained for questioning. With no charges or confirmed motive as investigations continue, the shooting has raised urgent questions: Was this an isolated tragedy, or a sign of emerging instability in NYC’s hard-won safety gains?

Could the 12-Day Streak Have Been a Fluke?
The homicide hiatus, which began on November 25, 2025, tied the NYPD’s longest recorded murder-free period since the department began tracking crime statistics. It underscored a broader trend: November 2025 saw just 16 homicides citywide, matching the all-time low set in November 2018. Yet the violence remains concentrated in specific neighborhoods, with the 43rd Precinct—where Sunday’s shooting occurred—reporting a 30% spike in shootings this year compared to 2024. How can NYC reconcile citywide progress with localized surges in gun violence?

A Brief Respite from Violence—Or a False Dawn?
The 12-day pause offered a rare reprieve for a city grappling with gun violence, though officials warned against complacency. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch credited the NYPD’s “Fall Violence Reduction Plan,” which deployed additional officers and resources to high-crime zones dubbed “Fall Zones.” During targeted hours, shootings in these areas dropped 40%, a success Tisch attributed to “right strategy and great execution.”
“Thank you to the members of the NYPD who have sacrificed so much this year to drive down violent crime to record lows,” she said in a statement.
But Stewart’s death in Soundview—a neighborhood where tensions between safety initiatives and systemic challenges persist—highlighted the fragility of such progress. While citywide homicides remain near historic lows, communities like Soundview continue to face disproportionate violence, fueling debates over equitable resource allocation. Can the NYPD’s tactics sustain long-term safety, or are deeper societal issues at play?

Community Reactions: “This Could Happen Anywhere”
Residents of the Sotomayor Houses expressed shock at the shooting, with some describing the stairwell as a well-trafficked area rarely associated with violence. “You hear about shootings, but not here,” said one tenant, requesting anonymity. “It’s scary to think this could happen anywhere.”
Authorities have not released details about the suspect or potential motives, though they confirmed the individual is cooperating with questioning. The NYPD’s Homicide Division is reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements, while forensic teams analyze ballistic evidence. Could this case expose gaps in the city’s violence prevention strategies?

Looking Ahead: Can NYC Hold the Line?
The 12-day streak has reignited discussions about policing strategies and community partnerships. While Tisch emphasized the role of proactive patrols and data-driven deployments, critics argue that lasting change requires addressing root causes like poverty, lack of mental health services, and systemic inequality.
As 2025 draws to a close, NYC stands at a crossroads: celebrating unprecedented safety gains while confronting the stubborn realities of urban violence. For now, the city mourns Stewart’s death—a stark reminder that progress, however remarkable, is never guaranteed.

Key Questions:

• Will the NYPD’s “Fall Zones” strategy continue to curb violence, or is it a temporary fix?
• How can the city balance targeted policing with investments in underserved communities?
• Could this shooting mark the beginning of a new crime wave, or will NYC maintain its record-low homicide rates?