Another Bronx man admits guilt in tragic shooting that left a five-year-old girl seriously injured

New York – A second Bronx man has admitted to illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting that left a five-year-old girl seriously injured. Austin Morrishow, 27, entered his guilty plea in federal court, acknowledging his role in the June 30, 2023, shooting incident that sent shockwaves through the community. His co-defendant, Curtis White, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge in February.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, who condemned the reckless violence that unfolded on a residential street that summer evening. “On June 30, 2023, Austin Morrishow and his co-defendant, Curtis White, engaged in a brazen act of violence by firing several shots onto a busy residential street in the Bronx. As these shots rang out, panicked bystanders rushed for cover, and one child—a five-year-old girl—was struck by a bullet and seriously injured. Morrishow then tried to evade arrest, but he was tracked down by our law enforcement partners, and now faces time in prison for endangering our city with senseless gun violence.”

A Night of Chaos and Gunfire

According to court documents, Morrishow, White, and several others were gathered on a Bronx sidewalk when a car engine suddenly backfired. Mistaking the sound for gunfire, Morrishow reacted by taking cover behind a parked vehicle before pulling out a .40 caliber pistol and firing multiple shots at three nearby idling cars. White then chased after the fleeing vehicles, shooting from a .380 caliber pistol.

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The reckless gunfire resulted in at least seven .40 caliber shell casings, two .380 caliber shell casings, and multiple bullet fragments scattered across the street. The gunfire also shattered windows of parked vehicles and left bullet holes in cars. Tragically, one of the bullets struck a five-year-old girl sitting in the back of a car, leaving her with severe injuries. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, her life forever altered by the careless actions of two armed men.

Prior Criminal Records and Legal Consequences

Neither Morrishow nor White was legally permitted to own or carry firearms due to prior felony convictions. Morrishow had a previous federal conviction for using and carrying a firearm during a narcotics conspiracy, while White had a state conviction for attempted first-degree assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon.

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Both men pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, a charge that carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. White’s sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2025, while Morrishow will learn his fate on June 25, 2025. Though the statutory maximum is 15 years, the final sentencing will be determined by the presiding judge.

Law Enforcement and Investigation

The case was investigated with the collaborative efforts of the New York City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Mr. Podolsky commended the dedication of law enforcement agencies in bringing both offenders to justice.

The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry J. Fang from the Office’s General Crimes Unit, ensuring that those responsible for endangering the community face appropriate legal consequences.

A Community on Edge

The shooting served as yet another tragic reminder of the ongoing gun violence that plagues communities across New York City. Residents were left shaken by the incident, especially given the young victim’s age. Local advocates continue to push for stricter measures to prevent such senseless acts of violence, hoping for safer streets for all.

With Morrishow’s guilty plea, the case moves one step closer to closure, but the impact of that fateful summer night lingers on. The five-year-old girl, her family, and the entire Bronx community will carry the scars of that evening long after the courtroom proceedings have ended.