Bronx teen killed after being shot in the head, police say
The NYPD is investigating the death of a 15-year-old boy who was found shot in the head in a Bronx apartment.
Police sources told CBS News New York that detectives are searching for a person of interest in the shooting.
The department's Crime Scene Unit spent a good part of Thursday documenting the building on Claflin Avenue by West 197th Street in Kingsbridge Heights, where Riley Billingslea was found dead the night before.
Police sources said a witness at the scene told officers there were several people inside the apartment when the 15-year-old was shot. The fired bullet ricocheted and grazed a 13-year-old boy as well.
Authorities said that 13-year-old is being treated for his injuries at a local hospital and is expected to survive.
Police sources said a gun was not found at the scene.
Victim's grandmother urges people to come forward
Elaine Rogers, Billingslea's grandmother, said she learned of what happened when two of her grandson's friends showed up at her doorstep Wednesday night.
"It's my only grandchild, my only grandchild," Rogers said. "I called 911. It seemed I'm the only one who called. Nobody at the scene called the cops. I can't understand that. Maybe they could've saved him if someone else called."
She said if the shooting was an accident, someone should come forward and say so.
"You obviously pointed it at him. For what? That's what I say. If it was an accident, the person should come forward and explain that," Rogers said.
A neighbor told CBS News New York she was very impressed by Billingslea.
"That was a very respectful kid. He helped me a few times. When I come from the supermarket, he helped me with the bag and everything," Veronica Mejia said.
It was a trait that Billingslea's grandmother now hopes he will be remembered for.
"I want to say he would have been respectful. I always told him to be respectful out there in the streets. Have your fun, but remember you have a grandmother, too, so be respectful to others. So, I hope that's what he followed when he was out there," Rogers said.
