A 16-year-old boy is suspected of shooting a 13-year-old during a violent encounter related to a recent incident outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens. Police have identified the teen as Jaythorne Sykes, who was a student at Campus Magnet High School.
Sykes was located by authorities at a station home about noon the day after the shooting, which left Sanjay Samuel dead outside a Springfield Gardens coffee shop on Monday morning.
Detective Joseph Kenney of the NYPD indicated that Sykes, known by the nickname “Flex,” fired the shot during a confrontation between groups. “He approaches the group and stands up to them, there’s some shouting back and forth, and then chaos ensues,” Kenney noted.
Sanjay Samuel was reportedly shot in the head during the altercation. Witnesses described how, after Sykes seemingly brandished a firearm, he retreated briefly but then returned, leading to a physical struggle where shots were fired.
“There were punches thrown, and then he falls. Our suspect runs from the scene,” Kenney explained.
While Samuel had posted about affiliations with a group known as SSM, or Sex Money Murder Gang, he wasn’t listed in the NYPD’s crime database and had no known history of criminal activity, according to police. His family has denied any gang connections.
Sykes has made social media posts that display violent themes, though there’s no clear link to gangs in those. Reports suggest that arrangements are in place for him to turn himself in, but it’s unclear when that will happen.
