Children have become the face of gun violence in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams said Friday.

“Listen to the numbers: 11, 15, 18, 11, 15, 18,” he said at NYPD headquarters, referring to an 11-year-old killed in the Bronx on Monday with 15- and 18-year-olds alleged to be behind the shooting.

What You Need To Know

  • In the past two months in the Bronx, a 16-year-old and 11-year-old were fatally shot

  • Mayor says gun violence costs young New Yorkers their lives and futures

  • Adams says city agencies will have summer anti-violence plans to complement NYPD

“This is what we’re dealing with over and over: kids killing kids,” Adams said alongside police officials. “Illegal guns as easy to buy as candy and comic books.”

His administration has been trying to stop the flow of guns, with the mayor urging state and federal officials to intervene.

But his newest focus is how the violence costs young people their lives and futures.

“We’re running out of baby formula in this city to keep children alive, but we’re not running out of guns to take their lives,” he said.

On Friday, Adams and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell asked for the public’s help in turning the tide, including turning in the 18-year-old they say is connected to 11-year-old Kyhara Tay’s shooting.

“I won’t say she was in the wrong place, because why shouldn’t an 11-year-old child be able to stand outside in broad daylight?” Sewell asked.

Other elected officials, especially those to Adams’ political left, have been urging more resources for non-police solutions.

Elected and community leaders gathered Wednesday in the Bronx to collectively denounce the violence there.

“What this city should be showing is a coordination of all services to these communities that have begging for all of these services for many, many decades,” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said then.

Adams said Friday the onus of curbing violence during a season when it traditionally spikes won’t just be on the NYPD.

“They’re rolling out their summer plan, but every agency that’s involved with young people also must produce a plan to complement what the police department is doing,” he said.

NY1 additionally asked Adams about his concern for his own personal safety.

A can of protein drink was thrown near him earlier Friday in Brooklyn and his security detail rushed him away.

“I’m very fortunate that my brother is playing an active role in protecting me, and so I’m pleased with the security that I have.”