Fox Business anchor Charles Payne shared an emotional and personal tragedy on air, revealing that his niece had been shot in Harlem while attending a memorial on the street where he grew up. Payne explained that she was caught in what appeared to be a targeted attack aimed at others. After undergoing four hours of surgery, she is now recovering. Speaking candidly, Payne connected the incident to what he described as a rising and largely underreported wave of violence affecting many major cities. He expressed shock at the extent of gang activity in his old neighborhood, noting how dramatically conditions have deteriorated.
Payne linked part of the violence to what he characterized as growing gang involvement among some recent migrants. While acknowledging that the majority of newcomers seek a better life, he argued that a small criminal element is having an outsized impact. NYPD leaders have echoed similar concerns, stating that only a limited number of individuals are responsible for a disproportionate share of crimes, often enabled by New York’s lenient bail laws. Authorities noted that some suspects blend into the city’s migrant shelter system, making them difficult to track due to limited identification or digital records.
Police officials have highlighted specific criminal groups, including Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan-origin gang believed to be expanding its presence in the United States. The group has been linked to violent phone and purse robberies involving scooter-riding thieves and to the assault of two NYPD officers earlier this year. As law enforcement attempts to crack down on these networks, officials emphasize that the actions of a small group should not overshadow the many migrants who follow the law and seek stability in New York.