The fatal shooting of a 16-year-old in the Bronx earlier this week is raising questions about how to handle youth violence.

Data shows the number of shooting victims in the Bronx is down so far this year by nearly 20%, when compared to last year.

But looking closer at the data, the number of those victims under the age of 18 amounts to roughly 30% of all victims, according to police.

The latest victim is Evette Jeffery. Police say the 16-year-old was shot and killed by a stray bullet in the Morrisania section of the Bronx on Monday.

The alleged shooter, a 14-year-old boy, was in an argument with a rival gang, officials said.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and we are committed to ensuring justice is served in this case,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The suspect is now facing multiple charges, including two counts of murder in the second degree.

Yanely Henriquez knows all too well what Jeffrey’s family is going through. Much like Jeffery, her daughter Angellyh Yambo, was also 16-years-old and was shot on her way home from school back in 2022.

“Kids have more access to guns. Every day, it’s easier to get a gun,” Henriquez said. “How many kids are going to keep dying for somebody to do something? I wouldn’t want them to experience this pain."

Since her daughter’s death, she’s created the Angellyh Yambo Foundation. Its mission is to create a safe space for children through social programs so they can survive and thrive.

But Henriquez says she needs help.

“This can be prevented. All of this that is happening can be prevented if we have more security, if we invest our money in patrolling, in cops and security and metal detectors, we can prevent all of this,” Henriquez said.

So far this year, the NYPD says 1,600 guns have been taken off city streets.