Edma Cruz is a mother of four and has lived in the Bronx since she was ten years old. She says she’s heartbroken over the killing of 16-year-old Angellyh Yambo, who was shot while walking home from school last Friday.

“Have safety out here, especially for the teenagers,” Cruz pleaded. “This is our future. I don’t know what’s going on. Lately there’s been stabbing and shootings and killings. Why?”

Seventeen-year-old Jeremiah Ryan, who is charged with murdering Yambo, made his second court appearance on Monday. He did not speak before the judge.

What You Need To Know

  • 17-year-old Jeremiah Ryan did not enter a plea in Bronx Criminal Court
  • Ryan is charged with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon
  • Ryan is due back in court on Thursday when a judge will determine if his case remains in criminal court or moves to family court

“A life of a wonderful ninth grader has been snuffed out because of gangs and guns,” said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. She denounced the violence Monday outside the 16-year-old’s school, University Heights Prep.

“Senseless shootings of children should never happen in the streets of New York or in a school,” said Weingarten. “If we are not angry about it and we are not upset about it, then we have lost our humanity.”

“The internet is contagious to these kids,” said Cruz. “And if they can find a weapon like that, anybody can find anything on the internet.”

Police say the weapon used in the shooting was a “ghost gun,” which is a firearm, often assembled at home, and without a serial number, making it untraceable.

President Joe Biden on Monday said his administration will crack down on these illegal weapons.

“The United States Department of Justice is making it illegal for one of these businesses to manufacture one of these kits without a serial number, illegal for a licensed gun dealer to sell them without a background check,” Biden said during a news conference.

In this case, police say the suspect had no prior criminal record before the shooting. Cops arrested him a day later at his home and he faces adult charges, including murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Ryan is scheduled to be back in court on Thursday. That’s when the judge will determine whether this case stays in criminal court or moves to Family Court, where he would be tried as a juvenile.