New NYPD photos show a backpack-wearing suspect in the deadly Queens shooting of a 15-year-old boy Thursday — as sources say the gun violence erupted while kids gathered for a water balloon fight.
Jaden Pierre was shot in the torso just before 6:20 p.m. Thursday near Nautilus Playground in Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, police said.
The gravely wounded teen – found lying on the ground when cops responded to a 911 call – was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died, cops said.
The surveillance photos, released by the NYPD Friday afternoon, show the young-looking suspect – wearing a light-colored sweatsuit and black backpack – glancing at his phone and carrying a soda bottle while strolling on the sidewalk.
The deadly gunfire erupted when multiple teens gathered in the park for a water balloon fight as temperatures in the Big Apple reached unseasonable highs, according to law enforcement sources.
The apparently innocent gathering descended into chaos when a fight broke out, the sources said. It was unclear Friday what the fight was over.
The 15-year-old boy appeared to be the intended target of the shooting, and police are investigating whether it was gang-related, according to the sources.
Disturbing footage posted on X by former Mayor Eric Adams shows a group of kids repeatedly punching Pierre, wearing black, before one of them shoots him point-blank, causing him to fall backwards.
“A 15-year-old kid was beaten and shot to death at a Southeast Queens playground yesterday,” Adams captioned the post. “And somehow this isn’t the top story. Credit to AG Letitia James & BP Richards for speaking up.
“Where is everyone else, including @NYCMayor Mamdani?” he wrote. “Outrage shouldn’t depend on zip code. Every child deserves protection.”
Mamdani has not publicly commented on the shooting. The Post has reached out to City Hall for comment.
A frequent parkgoer named AJ who recognized the young victim said Thursday that “these badass little kids always wanna come here, fight, and do dumb s—t.”
“Came over here, heard a shot go off, and I came running over here to make sure everyone was OK, especially my friends,” AJ said. “And I see a kid lying dead, and I know him from coming over here to play basketball. He’s a good basketball player. Cool kid.”
No arrests had been made by Friday evening.
The NYPD is asking anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips.
All calls are strictly confidential.
Read the full article here
