A recent image from the New York City Police Department captures a suspect with a backpack connected to the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in Queens on Thursday. Reports suggest the violence erupted amid a gathering of children involved in a water balloon fight.
Jaden Pierre was shot in the torso close to the Nautilus Playground at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans shortly before 6:20 p.m. on Thursday, according to police.
Responding to a 911 call, officers found the critically injured boy on the ground and quickly transported him to Jamaica Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Surveillance footage released by the NYPD shows a young suspect in a light-colored sweatsuit and black backpack walking along the sidewalk, absorbed in his phone and holding a soda bottle.
Authorities say the incident took place as several teenagers came together for a water balloon fight, coinciding with unusually high temperatures in New York.
The innocent gathering turned chaotic when tensions escalated into fights, although the specifics remained unclear as of Friday.
Officials indicated that Pierre seemed to be the target of the shooting, and police are looking into possible gang involvement.
Disturbing video footage shared by former Mayor Eric Adams revealed a group of children attacking Pierre, who was dressed in black, before one individual shot him at close range, causing him to fall backward.
In his post, Adams noted, “A 15-year-old was beaten and shot to death at a playground in southeast Queens yesterday. And somehow this is not front page news. Kudos to AG Letitia James and BP Richards for speaking out.”
Adams questioned, “Where are the others? @NYCMayor Mamdani?” suggesting that outrage shouldn’t depend on geographic location and emphasizing that every child deserves safety.
So far, Mamdani has not publicly responded to the shooting. The media has reached out to City Hall for a statement.
An individual named AJ, who recognized the victim and often visits the park, shared, “These bad kids always come here and want to fight and do awful things.”
AJ recounted that he had heard gunshots upon arriving and rushed over to check on his friends, only to find a boy lying down, a good basketball player he knew.
No arrests had been reported by Friday evening.
The NYPD is encouraging anyone with information regarding the suspect’s location to contact their Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish.
Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website. All calls remain confidential.
