NEW YORK, NY – A tragic scene unfolded in Jamaica, Queens, as a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot after stepping off a bus. The incident, which has left a community in shock, is the latest in a series of gun-related tragedies affecting families across the city.
The teenager, whose name remains undisclosed pending family notification, was seen on surveillance footage calmly walking down Liberty Avenue, clutching his chest. Despite his grave injury, he continued for a block before collapsing at a corner deli. The deli workers, unaware of his condition, initially thought he was simply resting. It was only after he fell again that a delivery man called 911.
Harry Patel, a worker at the deli, attempted to assist the boy, describing him as appearing afraid. Despite the absence of visible injuries or blood, the boy’s distress was evident. “He didn’t say a word,” Patel said, recalling the eerie silence of the encounter.
Authorities report that the shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. near 173rd Street and Liberty Avenue. The victim had just exited an MTA bus when an argument with the suspect escalated, resulting in the fatal gunshot. The suspect, described as wearing a black vest, gray hoodie, sweatpants, and a black backpack, fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Detectives continue to search for clues, with shell casings still littering the street where the confrontation occurred. Security footage captured the brief altercation, showing the suspect approaching and shooting the victim before both ran in opposite directions.
The victim was transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, adding to the growing list of unsolved gun crimes in the area. This incident follows another tragic shooting in the South Bronx three years ago, where a young girl was killed by a bullet from a ghost gun, highlighting the pervasive issue of gun violence in the city.
The community, grappling with the loss, is calling for more stringent measures to prevent such incidents. The Supreme Court’s recent decision, which addresses gun control, offers a glimmer of hope for those advocating for safer streets.
As the investigation continues, the city mourns another young life lost to senseless violence, a stark reminder of the urgent need for action against gun crime.