A peaceful afternoon at a Queens, NY playground turned into a nightmare when a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in front of stunned onlookers—and days later, the gunman is still nowhere to be found.
Jaden Pierre was gunned down around 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, at Roy Wilkins Park, according to the New York City Police Department. The teen was caught up in a fight on a basketball court when things suddenly escalated. In the chaos, he was shot in the chest.
He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition but didn’t survive.
Police have since released images of a person of interest—a young man with short dreadlocks, wearing a light gray tracksuit and carrying a black backpack. Authorities say he remains at large as the investigation continues.
Disturbing footage of the incident has been circulating online, reportedly showing a group of teens attacking Pierre before a gun is fired at close range. The video captures the horrifying moment he collapses backward as others scatter.
Witnesses say the scene was devastating.
“I heard a shot and ran over to check on everyone,” one teen told CBS News. “I saw a kid lying there… I knew him from playing basketball. He was a good player, a cool kid.”
The loss has shaken the community, with many struggling to process how quickly a fight turned deadly.
New York Attorney General Letitia James reacted to the tragedy, saying her “heart is heavy” over the senseless killing and offering prayers to Pierre’s family and loved ones. She also vowed to continue efforts to combat gun violence across the state.
As of Sunday, April 19, no arrests have been made, and investigators have not yet identified a motive.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to track down the shooter and bring answers to a grieving family.