A Bronx man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegally possessing ammunition in connection with a shooting that seriously injured a five-year-old girl. Austin Morrishow received the maximum sentence allowed by law after pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska. The sentencing took place on July 29, 2025, and included his co-defendant Curtis White, who was sentenced earlier this month.
“On June 30, 2023, Austin Morrishow and his co-defendant, Curtis White, fired several shots while attending a sidewalk vigil for someone who, in a sad twist of irony, was killed in a shooting,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Morrishow’s brazen acts left a bullet in a five-year-old child’s chest. Instead of accepting responsibility, Morrishow remained a fugitive for eight months. Today’s sentence sends an important message: if you threaten the lives of innocent New Yorkers through senseless gun violence, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Morrishow and White were at a vigil on June 30, 2023, when one of three nearby cars backfired. This caused panic among those gathered on the sidewalk in the Bronx. Morrishow then fired multiple rounds from a .40 caliber pistol at the vehicles as they fled; White also fired his .380 caliber pistol while chasing after them.
The gunfire resulted in seven .40 caliber shell casings and two .380 caliber shell casings being found at the scene along with bullet fragments and damage to parked cars. One shot struck a five-year-old girl sitting in one of the fleeing vehicles; she was hit in the chest but survived.
Both men fled after the incident. While White was arrested soon after in July 2023, Morrishow avoided capture until February 2024. At the time of the shooting, both defendants were prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions—Morrishow had previously served time for using and carrying a firearm during a narcotics conspiracy.
In addition to his prison term, Morrishow was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution to the victim. White received a sentence of 51 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release and must also pay restitution.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commended investigators from the New York City Police Department as well as support from federal agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry J. Fang is leading prosecution efforts through the Office’s General Crimes Unit.
