A 16-year-old boy tragically lost his life in a midday altercation on a Queens street on Wednesday, according to law enforcement officials. The teenager had just disembarked from a bus when he became embroiled in a dispute with an individual who appeared to be armed. The incident occurred near Jamaica Avenue and 172nd Street in Jamaica, around 2:20 p.m., as reported by the New York Police Department.
The alleged assailant, described as wearing a black vest over a gray hoodie and a mask, reportedly shot the teenager in the chest before fleeing the scene. He was last seen heading east on Liberty Avenue, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
After being shot, the injured teenager managed to cross the street before collapsing. Police officers discovered him in a pool of blood. Despite the best efforts of emergency medical personnel, the teenager could not be saved. He was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The suspect in the fatal shooting remains at large. Law enforcement officials have not released any additional information about the suspect or potential motives for the shooting.
This incident marks the latest in a series of violent episodes involving young people in the area. Just a month prior, a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in Sunnyside, Queens, during a brawl involving several teenagers.
The community is grappling with the shock and grief of these incidents, as authorities continue their investigations and efforts to curb youth violence. The NYPD is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.