In a tragic incident on Friday, a 13-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by another 13-year-old boy on an MTA bus in Staten Island. Both boys, Syles Ular and his assailant, attended the same middle school, IS 7. The incident took place around 2:20 p.m. at the intersection of Hylan Boulevard and Littlefield Avenue in Eltingville. According to the NYPD and police sources, the altercation began as a dispute between the two boys.
Eyewitnesses reported that an argument ensued on the bus, during which a knife was produced and gang signs were exchanged. The suspect then proceeded to stab Ular multiple times in the chest. Gravely wounded, Ular made his way to the front of the bus, clutching his stomach, and informed the driver that he was having difficulty breathing. He then managed to walk to the back of the bus before collapsing to the floor.
As the young suspect fled the bus, he discarded the murder weapon, a knife, while running approximately three blocks. However, luck was not on his side that day. A retired NYPD sergeant happened to be in the vicinity and began following the fleeing teenager. Another witness, aware of the severity of the situation, approached the retired cop and pointed out the assailant, informing him that "this person just stabbed somebody." The retired cop acted swiftly, apprehending the teenager and ensuring he was taken into police custody.
During a press conference held at police headquarters that evening, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell revealed that the motive behind the attack was believed to be gang-related. Further investigations would be conducted to unravel the exact circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.
Demetrius Crichlow, senior vice president of the NYC Transit Department, responded to the scene and met with the traumatized MTA bus driver. Crichlow commended the driver for his quick response, immediately notifying authorities and attempting to maintain calm on the bus amidst the chaos.
The victim, Ular, was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, investigators combed the scene for evidence and are currently reviewing footage captured by the on-board cameras.
The community and witnesses expressed shock and disbelief over the incident, emphasizing that the neighborhood in which it occurred was typically regarded as safe. An eyewitness, Anthony Esemplaire, shared his astonishment, stating, "This is one of the safest neighborhoods. I've never seen anything like this go on."
As the investigation unfolds, the authorities will continue to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident, shedding light on the motivations and circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing.
