Title: 13-Year-Old Boy Fatally Stabbed on MTA Bus in Staten Island
NEW YORK — A tragic incident unfolded on Friday afternoon as a 13-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on an MTA bus in Staten Island. The boy, identified as Syles Ular, succumbed to his injuries shortly after the attack. A 14-year-old suspect is currently in police custody.
According to witnesses, the stabbing took place at around 2:30 p.m. on Hyland Boulevard near Littlefield Avenue. The altercation began when the suspect boarded the bus and engaged in a heated argument with the victim. Witnesses reported that both individuals were displaying gang signs and yelling at each other.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell stated, “Witnesses state there’s an argument on a bus. A knife is produced, and gang signs were being shown back and forth.” The suspect allegedly brandished a knife and stabbed the 13-year-old in the chest. The victim’s fellow passengers described a horrifying scene of wrestling and repeated stabbings.
Following the attack, the injured boy managed to stumble off the bus, desperately calling for help. Witnesses recalled him screaming, “Help, someone call the cops, I can’t breathe.” Meanwhile, the assailant fled the scene.
Thanks to the quick actions of a state environmental conservation officer and a retired NYPD sergeant, who happened to be passing by, the suspect was apprehended before police arrived. “The retired sergeant starts to follow the male who did the stabbing. At this time, another witness points him out and says, ‘This person just stabbed somebody,’ and the sergeant effects the arrest,” explained Chief of Patrol John Chell.
Tragically, the victim could not be saved and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The news of this senseless act has shaken the community, as Staten Island is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. “This is one of the safest neighborhoods. I’ve never seen anything like this go on,” said witness Anthony Esemplaire.
Police suspect that the motive behind this stabbing may be gang-related. Investigators are currently reviewing video footage from on-board cameras to gather further evidence. The incident has also left the bus driver traumatized, highlighting the psychological impact on those who witnessed the horrifying incident.
The loss of a young life to such violence is an unspeakable tragedy, and it serves as a reminder of the growing concerns regarding youth violence and gang activity. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Syles Ular and holds onto the hope that justice will be served.
CBS News reporter Ali Bauman contributed to this article and joined CBS2 News in 2016 as a general assignment reporter. Bauman, a proud millennial, has utilized social media as a powerful platform for storytelling to reach a new generation of viewers.