Teen Charged With Bronx Robbery Attempt That Left Young Boy Critically Wounded

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A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being shot in the Bronx Tuesday night during an attempted robbery.

Police have arrested 17-year-old Mauricio Acosta in connection with the incident and charged him with attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and felony assault.

The New York City Police Department said the shooting happened around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday on Grand Avenue in University Heights.

Police sources say the four-year-old boy's father, identified as Bobby Baltazar, was dropping the child off to stay with his mother at the University Heights Shelter, when three suspects approached them and tried to rob the father.

The boy, who sources identify as Cincere, was shot in the torso and there was a struggle for the gun.

Sources say Baltazar grabbed the gun and chased the suspects around the corner, shooting one of them, identified as Jose Marte, 17, in the head.

Both Marte and the four-year-old were taken to St. Barnabus Hospital in critical condition.

The child was later transferred to Columbia Presbyterian.

Sources say Baltazar ran from the scene but later came to the hospital. It is not clear if he will be charged with any crime.

A third suspect in the robbery attempt is still at large.

Nearby residents said the incident has them fearing for their own children's safety.

"I just hear two gunshots and then I look at the window and hear a baby drop and then I hear the mother screaming, 'Oh my God, oh my God, please open the eyes!'" said one witness.

Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS, by texting TIP577 to CRIMES, or by going to NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.