On the night of June 2, 2018, 17-year-old Vlana Roberts was struck in the back by a stray bullet while listening to music and dancing with friends on Vyse Avenue near East 181st Street in the Bronx. A nearby street fight erupted and gunfire followed; a friend drove her to St. Barnabas Hospital but her injuries were fatal and she was pronounced dead. Her brother Kirk Stinson witnessed the shooting. Vlana was remembered as a caring student, a high school basketball player who hoped to become a nurse, and her family reported deep grief; her father, who had been battling cancer, died soon after her death.

Police initially questioned another individual who was later released. Investigators used cell phone records to track 16-year-old Julius Romero to Florida; he was arrested there in September 2018 and extradited to the Bronx. He was charged with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon. If anyone knew Vlana or has information about the shooting, please come forward.