Police searching for gunman after 15-year-old boy fatally shot at St. Albans park
ST. ALBANS, Queens (WABC) -- Police are on the hunt for the shooter who killed a 15-year-old boy in Queens on Thursday.
It happened around 6:15 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans during a large fight.
Police were still patrolling the park on Friday.
Eyewitness News spoke with the 15-year-old victim's aunt, who was too too distraught to speak on camera, but said he was her favorite nephew and was a sweet kid.
Police have identified the victim as Jaden Pierre. They say it all began when a fight broke out on the basketball court at the park.
Several kids attacked the 15-year-old before a single shot was fired, according to police. They say that shot struck Pierre in the chest. He was taken to the hospital but could not be saved.
The other young people who were at the park scattered, and the gunman is still on the loose.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards stated that, "The pain of losing Jaden Pierre to gun violence at 15 years old is indescribable, and I grieve with his family, friends, Eagle Academy classmates and teachers and all who loved him."
A woman who knew Pierre visited the park Friday morning. She described him as energetic, and someone who looked out for others.
"He was very inviting to my son every time my son played basketball with him," she said.
No arrests have been made, and police are currently reviewing cell phone video of the alleged suspect running away.
The motive is still unclear, but Eyewitness News was told it may be gang related.
The deadly shooting came less than 24 hours after another 15-year-old boy was killed during a separate shooting at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County on Wednesday night.
Police are also investigating that shooting as possible gang violence, but there is no indication the shootings are connected.
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