BRONX, NY – A senseless act of gun violence landed AUSTIN MORRISHOW, 27, of the Bronx, a maximum 15-year prison sentence today, following the June 30, 2023, shooting that left a five-year-old girl with a bullet lodged in her chest. MORRISHOW opened fire on fleeing vehicles during a vigil, displaying a callous disregard for human life. The incident occurred amidst a gathering ironically mourning a victim of gun violence himself.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of MORRISHOW’s actions. “Morrishow’s brazen acts left a bullet in a five-year-old child’s chest,” Clayton stated. “Instead of accepting responsibility, Morrishow remained a fugitive for eight months. Today’s sentence sends an important message: if you threaten the lives of innocent New Yorkers through senseless gun violence, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court filings, the shooting unfolded as attendees gathered for a vigil when a car backfired, causing panic. MORRISHOW, taking cover, then unleashed a volley of shots from a .40 caliber pistol at the departing vehicles. Simultaneously, his co-defendant, CURTIS WHITE, 28, also of the Bronx, sprinted after the cars, firing a .380 caliber pistol indiscriminately. The resulting chaos left a trail of shell casings and bullet-riddled vehicles, one of which carried the young victim.
The five-year-old girl sustained a serious chest wound, narrowly avoiding vital organs. MORRISHOW and WHITE immediately fled the scene. While WHITE was apprehended in July 2023, MORRISHOW remained on the run for nearly eight months before being taken into custody in February 2024. This delay only compounded the severity of his offense, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the judicial process.
This wasn’t MORRISHOW’s first brush with the law. He was already under court supervision for a prior federal conviction related to narcotics and illegal firearms – a 60-month prison term – when the shooting occurred. He was legally prohibited from possessing ammunition. WHITE, too, was barred from owning firearms due to a prior state conviction for attempted assault. WHITE was sentenced to 51 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and both defendants were ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
The investigation, led by the New York City Police Department with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service, brought these dangerous individuals to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive gun violence plaguing our streets and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable. The incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and preventative measures to protect innocent civilians from senseless acts of violence.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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