August 7, 2025 The Bronx, NY A brutal stabbing at a seemingly safe Bronx playground has left a community in mourning after a 14-year-old boy was killed and another teenager was injured. Four individuals, including two juveniles, have been arrested in connection with the deadly attack, which authorities believe was an act of gang-related retaliation.
The tragic incident unfolded around 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday evening at the Williamsbridge Oval Playground. Police say a massive brawl involving more than a dozen teenagers erupted, sending shockwaves through the typically quiet neighborhood. Responding officers discovered a 17-year-old with stab wounds to his stomach and shoulder, while 14-year-old Angel Mendoza was found with multiple fatal stab wounds. The older teenager is expected to survive his injuries.
Angel's father, heartbroken and in mourning, spoke, expressing his anguish over his son's senseless death. "He did not deserve to die this way," the father said in Spanish, describing his son as "special" and "the best thing that ever happened to him."
A Community's Shock and a Growing Memorial
Residents of the area, who have long considered the Williamsbridge Oval Playground a safe space, are struggling to come to terms with the violence. Many in the community are now questioning how such a horrific event could occur in their own backyard.
A makeshift memorial now stands at the park, with candles and flowers marking the spot where Angel's life was tragically cut short. Friends and neighbors remember him as a "free spirit" and a "good kid" who may have found himself entangled with the wrong crowd.
Suspects Arrested and Charged
Police have made a swift series of arrests, charging four individuals in connection with the murder. The suspects, who are all from the Bronx, face multiple serious charges, including murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
