In the heart of the Bronx, a Friday evening turned into a scene of heartbreak and loss on August 22, 2025. Just before 6 p.m., the intersection of East 164th Street and Washington Avenue in Morrisania became the backdrop of a senseless act of violence. James Gaines, a 46-year-old resident of the neighborhood, was fatally shot in the neck mere steps from the entrance to his apartment building, a place where he should have felt safe.
The piercing sound of gunfire shattered the evening calm, prompting a swift 911 call that brought officers from the NYPD’s 42nd Precinct racing to the scene. They found Gaines, a man known to his community, clinging to life with a grievous wound. Emergency Medical Services rushed him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, where doctors fought to save him. Despite their efforts, Gaines succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in the lives of those who knew him.
As the sun set on Morrisania, the weight of the tragedy settled over the neighborhood. Friends, neighbors, and loved ones gathered near the site of the shooting, their faces etched with grief. A single lit candle flickered at the spot where Gaines fell, a poignant symbol of a life extinguished too soon. The soft glow illuminated the faces of those who came to pay their respects, a quiet testament to the impact Gaines had on his community.
The NYPD’s investigation is in full swing, but the suspect remains at large, a shadow slipping away into the night. Police are combing through evidence, analyzing surveillance footage, and appealing to the public for answers. They urge anyone with information to step forward, offering anonymity through the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, leaving the community grappling with questions and fear. Was this a random act of violence, or did it stem from a deeper conflict? For now, the answers elude investigators, but the resolve to bring justice for James Gaines burns as brightly as the candle left in his memory.
In Morrisania, a neighborhood no stranger to hardship, the loss of Gaines has struck a deep chord. As the investigation continues, the community holds its breath, mourning a neighbor and praying for an end to the violence that claimed him. For James Gaines, a man who called this corner of the Bronx home, the streets he walked will never be the same.