NYPD: Man Shot After Dispute Over Bronx Parking Spot
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A dispute over a parking space turned violent in the Bronx.
Parking spots can be hard to come by in New York City. Last weekend a fight over a spot ended with gunshots, CBSN New York's Tara Jakeway reported. Police have released video they hope will help bring in the gunman.
It happened at 8:15 p.m. on July 28 in front of 1800 Popham Avenue near Montgomery Avenue.
Avery Lopez, 24, was parking his car when he got into a dispute with another man who thought he was taking too long to park. As the dispute escalated, the other man left the area, returning a short time later with a gun.
He opened fire, hitting the driver twice in the lower back.
The suspect took off.
The victim was rushed to Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition.
Police released a photo of a woman they say was with the gunman at the time of the shooting. In the photo, she is seen with bright red hair and wearing golden sandals or slippers.
Drivers reacted to the violence Monday while many waited for their own space.
"It's a nice neighborhood. As a matter of fact I was surprised that somebody got shot over a parking spot," said Morris Heights resident Joseph Estevez.
Estevez was in a long line of cars double parked waiting for a spot to open up. In the wake of the shooting, most drivers Monday were practicing patience.
"It's not's worth it. You just have to be nice to each other. Parking is parking," said Clarice Yamogo.
Police are looking for the woman in the video who they are considering an accomplice. They do not believe the two drivers in the incident knew each other.
Anyone with any information is asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.
