Tragic Shooting of Newburgh Boy Linked to Revenge

A young boy from Newburgh lost his life after being shot in his home, allegedly by another child. This incident appears to be revenge for a previous shooting involving the victim’s older brother, according to officials.

The 11-year-old victim, Matthew, was identified by friends and family on Saturday.

Orange County Prosecutor David Hubler shared details, stating that Matthew was inside his North Miller Street home along with three other children, all under the age of 18, when the 13-year-old suspected shooter reportedly fired the weapon.

Hubler mentioned, “There were four people in the immediate vicinity when the boy was shot,” and confirmed that an unregistered gun was recovered at the scene.

The shooter, whose identity has not been disclosed, now faces charges of second-degree murder.

While Hubler didn’t elaborate on the motive, he did acknowledge the role of social media in the situation. “What we see in young people is that they don’t grasp the severe consequences of pulling a trigger, and how it will affect their lives forever,” he remarked.

Hubler added, “Many don’t have the interpersonal skills required to deal with conflicts face-to-face. They lack normal conflict resolution skills, which can lead to violence.”

Another source indicated that the shooting on Thursday, which deeply affected the Hudson Valley community, was indeed an act of retaliation tied to an earlier incident involving Matthew’s brother, though specifics of that event weren’t disclosed.

Matthew’s family, overwhelmed with grief, chose not to comment publicly.

His friend, Jaleel Hargrove, reminisced, “He was always riding his bike around here,” while wearing a shirt featuring Matthew’s photo alongside the words, “Rest in Peace, Matthew.”

“He played basketball with us,” the 17-year-old reflected. “We used to ride our bikes together, and learning about his death hit me hard. He never wanted to be involved with gangs; he just wanted to be successful.”

A makeshift memorial, consisting of balloons, candles, flowers, and even torn bills, was placed outside the family home on Saturday.

One heartwarming message on a flower arrangement expressed, “You were my best friend, my little brother. I can’t believe you’re gone. You didn’t deserve this. I love you, buddy.”

Jaleel recounted how Matthew was often seen alone yet was always cheerful, cycling or playing basketball. “The last time I saw him was Tuesday,” he added, reflecting on their last interaction when Matthew had borrowed a dollar for a soda.

Meanwhile, neighbor Jenna, 25, recalled waking to the sound of gunfire that Thursday. “I just went back to sleep because gunshots are a regular occurrence here,” she said, noting that such incidents frequently make the news.

In a heartfelt message to the shooter, Jaleel stated, “What you did was wrong. He was just a kid, only 11 years old; you should have thought twice about your actions.”