SOUNDVIEW, Bronx (WABC) — A rare period of peace on the streets of New York City came to a violent end on Sunday night. Authorities have confirmed that the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview, marking the first reported killing in the five boroughs in nearly two weeks. The fatal shooting of the 38-year-old man inside a Bronx public housing complex has shattered a fragile quiet that had settled over the city since late November.

The incident occurred late Sunday evening within the confines of the Sotomayor Houses, a sprawling NYCHA development. As detectives comb the scene for evidence and the community grapples with the return of yellow police tape, a person of interest is currently in custody. However, questions remain about the motive behind the violence that claimed Stewart’s life.

The Incident: NYPD Investigates Homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview

The silence of Sunday night was broken by gunfire in the stairwell of the Sotomayor Houses, located in the Soundview section of the Bronx. According to police reports, officers responded to a call regarding a male shot. Upon arrival, they discovered Gregory Stewart, a 38-year-old resident, suffering from a severe gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded rapidly to the scene, transporting Stewart to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi. Jacobi is one of the city’s premier Level 1 Trauma Centers, known for handling the most critical gunshot victims in the borough. Despite the best efforts of the trauma team to save his life, Stewart succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

This specific violent act has triggered a major mobilization of resources as the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview. Crime Scene Unit (CSU) officers were seen entering and exiting the building late into the night, documenting the blood evidence in the stairwell and searching for shell casings that could link a weapon to the person of interest currently being held.

A Rare Lull in Violence Ends

What makes this tragedy particularly notable—beyond the heartbreaking loss of human life—is the statistical context in which it occurred. New York City, a metropolis of over 8 million people, rarely goes 14 days without a homicide.

Police data confirms that the last reported homicide prior to the death of Gregory Stewart occurred on November 24, 2024. For nearly two weeks, the city experienced a “zero homicide” streak, a significant achievement for the NYPD and community violence interrupters who work tirelessly to de-escalate conflicts before they turn deadly.

The breaking of this streak as the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges facing the Bronx. While citywide numbers may fluctuate, specific neighborhoods often bear the brunt of gun violence. The Sotomayor Houses, like many NYCHA developments, have been a focal point for police efforts to reduce crime, yet the stairwells often remain dangerous blind spots where violence can occur away from the eyes of the street.

Person of Interest in Custody

In a swift development that may offer some solace to the victim’s family, authorities took a person of interest into custody shortly after the shooting. While the identity of this individual has not yet been released, their detention suggests that police may have a strong lead on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

It is important to note the distinction in terminology: a “person of interest” is not yet a charged suspect. As the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview, detectives are likely conducting interrogations, reviewing surveillance footage from the housing complex, and testing for gunshot residue (GSR) to solidify a case.

Determining a motive is the current priority. Was this a dispute over money? A personal vendetta? Or a chance encounter gone wrong? Investigators are digging into Stewart’s background and his relationship, if any, with the person in custody to construct a timeline of the events leading up to the fatal shot.

The Scene: Sotomayor Houses

The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses, formerly known as the Bronxdale Houses, are a significant residential complex in the Soundview neighborhood. Like many public housing developments in New York, residents have long called for improved security measures, including better lighting, functioning cameras in stairwells, and more consistent police patrols.

Stairwells in NYCHA buildings are notoriously difficult to police. They are enclosed, vertical spaces that often lack the surveillance coverage found in lobbies or elevators. For residents, the stairwell is a necessary route to their homes, but it can also be a trap. The fact that the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview specifically within a stairwell highlights this ongoing infrastructure vulnerability.

Tenant associations in the Bronx have frequently advocated for “state-of-the-art” security upgrades. When a murder occurs in these semi-private spaces, it reignites the debate over whether the city is doing enough to protect its most vulnerable tenants.

Community Reaction as NYPD Investigates Homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview

For the residents of Soundview, the news of the shooting is a heavy blow. The nearly two-week respite from homicide headlines had offered a sense of hope that the winter months might bring peace. The sudden violence at Sotomayor Houses has shattered that illusion.

“It’s scary,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous. “You hear about the numbers going down, and you feel good. But when it happens in your building, or your block, the statistics don’t matter. A man is dead.”

As the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview, community violence interrupters—groups like “Guns Down, Life Up” or local Cure Violence organizations—are likely to be deployed to the area. Their goal is to prevent retaliation. In many cases of street violence, one shooting can spawn another if the community feels justice is not being served or if rivalries are involved. The police presence acts as a deterrent, but community mediators work to cool the emotional temperature of the neighborhood.

The Role of Jacobi Medical Center

The transport of Gregory Stewart to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi is a standard but tragic part of Bronx life. Jacobi is the designated trauma center for the area, equipped with the surgeons and technology needed to treat catastrophic head injuries.

The pronouncement of death at the hospital signals the severity of the wound. A gunshot wound to the head offers little chance of survival, even with the rapid transport times achieved by FDNY EMS. For the medical staff at Jacobi, the arrival of a gunshot victim after a two-week lull is a return to a grim routine. They are often the last people to see victims like Stewart alive, and their reports will become part of the forensic evidence as the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview.

Broader Implications for NYC Crime Statistics

The year 2025 has seen fluctuating crime rates across the five boroughs. The administration has touted successes in reducing shootings and homicides compared to the spikes seen in previous years. A 13-day period without a homicide is statistically significant and will likely be cited by City Hall as proof that their public safety strategies are working.

However, critics argue that “lulls” are often due to weather or chance, and that the underlying drivers of violence—poverty, lack of opportunity, and the proliferation of illegal firearms—remain unaddressed. The fact that the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview serves as a data point for the opposition, proof that the streets are still dangerous for many.

The Bronx, in particular, often lags behind Manhattan and Queens in seeing crime reductions. Resources are heavily concentrated in tourist hubs, leaving residential neighborhoods in the outer boroughs to rely on precinct-level policing that is often stretched thin.

What Comes Next in the Investigation?

The next 48 hours are critical. If the person of interest is released without charges, the community may fear a killer is on the loose. If they are charged, the details of the complaint will shed light on why this happened.

Key elements the police are looking for include:

• The Weapon: Recovery of the gun used to kill Stewart is essential. Ballistics tests can determine if the gun has been used in other crimes.

• Witnesses: Even in a stairwell, sound travels. Neighbors may have heard an argument or the shot itself.

• Surveillance: While the stairwell might not have cameras, the entrance and exit to the building likely do. Tracking who entered the building with Stewart or fled after the shot is vital.

As the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview, they are urging the public to come forward. In many investigations, a single tip from a resident can break the case wide open.

The Victim: Remembering Gregory Stewart

While much of the focus is on the crime and the suspect, a family is mourning Gregory Stewart. at 38 years old, he was a member of the Soundview community. Details about his life, his employment, and his family status are still emerging.

In the coming days, vigils are expected. The tragic reality of homicide is that the victim often becomes a name in a news report, defined by their death rather than their life. Friends and family will likely gather to ensure the city remembers Gregory Stewart not just as a statistic that broke a two-week streak, but as a human being.

How You Can Help

The investigation is ongoing, and the police cannot do it alone. The “Blue Wall of Silence” often hinders investigations in housing projects, but anonymity is available for those who want to help without risking their safety.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.

As the NYPD investigates homicide of Gregory Stewart in Soundview, the hope is that swift justice will bring some closure to a neighborhood shaken by the return of violence.

Conclusion

The killing of Gregory Stewart is a tragic bookend to a peaceful fortnight in New York City. It highlights the persistent volatility of gun violence in the Bronx and the vulnerability of residents in public housing.

As detectives build their case and the family prepares for a funeral, the city watches and waits. The NYPD’s investigation is active, and the outcome will determine whether this was a random act of violence or a calculated murder. For now, the yellow tape at Sotomayor Houses serves as a somber reminder that for many New Yorkers, safety is still a day-to-day struggle.

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Summary of Key Facts:

• Victim: Gregory Stewart, 38.

• Location: Sotomayor Houses, Soundview, Bronx (Stairwell).

• Time: Sunday night, December 7, 2025.

• Injury: Gunshot wound to the head.

• Hospital: NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi (Pronounced dead).

• Significance: First NYC homicide since Nov 24 (nearly 2 weeks).

• Suspect Status: Person of interest in custody.

• Investigation: Ongoing; motive undetermined.