In the early evening of Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, tragedy struck in the neighborhood of East Harlem in New York, New York. Ashley Ballard, an 18-year-old female who had just celebrated her birthday a few weeks prior, was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and East 128th Street, just a half mile from her home.
Ballard was in the company of 25-year-old Harry Mendoza when an unknown assailant opened fire.
She sustained gunshot wounds to her back and head. Both Ballard and Mendoza were rushed to a nearby Harlem hospital, but their injuries proved to be fatal, and they both died. The authorities have not released a motive for the shooting and it remains unclear what, if any, relationship existed between Ballard and Mendoza, or between them and their killer.
The New York Police Department responded to 911 calls of shots fired and discovered the two victims at the scene. Investigators cordoned off the area, searching for shell casings and any other evidence that could lead to the person or persons responsible. They even deployed a drone as part of their search of the neighborhood, which is characterized by parks, playgrounds, and a school.
As of the days following the shooting, no arrests have been made in the case. The police are actively investigating the double homicide and are searching for the gunman. They have urged anyone with information to come forward and have provided contact information for their Crime Stoppers hotline. The community, including members of a church where Ballard's aunt is a deacon, was left to mourn the sudden and violent loss of the young woman.
