Just before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, a 68-year-old man fired multiple shots inside an apartment building in the Claremont section of the Bronx, wounding two people before barricading himself inside a unit, according to the NYPD. The Bronx barricade shooting drew a police response to the building near East 173rd Street and Third Avenue, ending when the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit negotiated the suspect into custody.
TL;DR: A 68-year-old Bronx man allegedly shot a 70-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man inside a Claremont apartment building on Saturday night, October 17, before barricading himself inside. Both victims were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, and the suspect — identified as Kenneth Morgan — was later held without bail. Morgan is also accused of wounding a different man in a separate Bronx shooting three days earlier.
What Happened Saturday Night
Authorities say Morgan walked into the East 173rd Street and Third Avenue building around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Video obtained by the New York Post shows him calling out a woman’s name and appearing to adjust something at his waistband before entering.
According to law-enforcement sources cited by the Post’s follow-up reporting, Morgan flew into a rage after entering a ninth-floor unit and finding the 70-year-old woman with a 60-year-old man. Police say he pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking the woman in the stomach and the younger man multiple times in the chest.
Investigators describe the motive as a reported love-triangle feud, with Morgan said to have been the woman’s spurned companion — as first reported by the Post on Saturday night.
A Standoff With the NYPD Emergency Service Unit
When police descended on the scene, Morgan refused to come out. Police say he barricaded himself inside the apartment — with the victims still inside — triggering a tense standoff.
According to police, Morgan at one point waved the gun — which he is not licensed to own — in the faces of two uniformed NYPD officers. The department’s Emergency Service Unit eventually negotiated him into custody, and video showed him being wheeled from the building on a gurney.
The Victims
The two victims were rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital — the woman, 70, struck in the abdomen; the man, 60, shot in the torso.
Their conditions were described differently in official accounts: the NYPD said both were listed in stable condition, while a criminal complaint filed in Bronx Criminal Court described both as “intubated and unconscious.”
Both victims identified their attacker. According to the complaint, each told officers: “Kenny shot me.”
25 Prior Arrests and a Second Alleged Shooting
Morgan’s criminal history stretches back decades. Authorities say he has 25 prior arrests, including arrests for burglary, robbery, and theft of service. His most recent prior arrest was in September 2019 for gun possession in the Charlotte Gardens section of the Bronx, according to police.
Three days before the Saturday-night violence, Morgan is accused of shooting and wounding another man in a different part of the Bronx. According to the complaint, Morgan was in a feud with a woman inside a Belmont apartment building on Hughes Avenue near East 180th Street around 10 p.m. on October 14 when her son intervened. Morgan allegedly flashed a gun and opened fire, striking the son in the right arm. Prosecutors say the top charge in that case is also attempted murder.
Held Without Bail
Morgan was charged with attempted murder, assault, gun and ammunition possession, and harassment in connection with Saturday’s shooting. On Monday morning, a judge ordered him held without bail in both cases. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Morgan has been charged — not convicted — and is presumed innocent. Every person accused of a crime is entitled to that presumption until proven guilty in a court of law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the suspect in the Bronx barricade shooting?
The suspect has been identified as Kenneth Morgan, a 68-year-old Bronx man. Both shooting victims told police “Kenny shot me,” according to a criminal complaint filed in Bronx Criminal Court. He has been charged but not convicted, and remains presumed innocent.
Where exactly did the shooting happen?
The shooting took place inside an apartment building at East 173rd Street and Third Avenue in the Claremont section of the Bronx, near 3970 Third Avenue and the Mount Eden and Morris Avenues area, around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Who were the victims and how are they doing?
A 70-year-old woman was struck in the abdomen and a 60-year-old man was shot in the torso. Both were taken to St. Barnabas Hospital. The NYPD described them as stable, while a criminal complaint described both as “intubated and unconscious.”
What charges does Kenneth Morgan face?
For Saturday’s shooting, Morgan is charged with attempted murder, assault, gun and ammunition possession, and harassment. In the separate October 14 shooting in Belmont, the top charge is also attempted murder. These are charges only; he has not been convicted.
What was the motive?
Investigators describe the motive as a reported love-triangle feud. According to law-enforcement sources, Morgan allegedly became enraged when he found the 70-year-old woman with the 60-year-old man inside the apartment.
Does the suspect have a criminal record?
Yes. Authorities say Morgan has 25 prior arrests, including arrests for burglary, robbery, and theft of service. His most recent prior arrest was in September 2019 for gun possession. Police say he is not licensed to own the gun used Saturday.
What does it mean that Morgan is held without bail?
Being held without bail means Morgan remains in custody while his cases move through the courts rather than being released pending trial. A judge ordered it Monday morning in connection with both cases; his next appearance is scheduled for Friday.
Was anyone else hurt?
No officers or bystanders were reported injured. Morgan allegedly waved a gun at two responding NYPD officers during the standoff, but the situation was resolved by the Emergency Service Unit without further gunfire.
