4 Teens Charged in Fatal Bronx Playground Stabbing of 14-Year-Old

Deadly Playground Altercation

• 💔 A 14-year-old boy, Anel Mendoza, was fatally stabbed and a 17-year-old injured in a brutal assault at Williamsbridge Oval playground.
• ⚡ The attack occurred last night following a volatile mix of two groups of young people, with the stabbing appearing to be retaliation for an earlier dispute.
• 😔 The victim's father described Anel as a quiet kid who didn't bother anyone, urging parents to closely watch their children.

Victim's Background and Circumstances

• 🇩🇴 Anel Mendoza, who came to the US from the Dominican Republic at age four, had recently been clashing with his father over his choice of friends and his cessation of attending school.
• 🛹 Witnesses report that Anel was confronted by a mob of over a dozen young people, beaten over the head with a skateboard, and then stabbed.

Arrests and Charges

• 🚨 The NYPD announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with the incident.
• ⚖️ Two 18-year-olds, a 16-year-old, and a 15-year-old have been charged with murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
• 🏥 The 14-year-old victim was pronounced dead at Jacobe Hospital, while the 17-year-old, who sustained stab wounds to the abdomen and shoulder, was taken to Montafure Hospital in a private vehicle.