Teen charged with murder after 13-year-old shot in head outside Dunkin’ in Queens
Queens, NY – A 16-year-old from South Jamaica has been charged with murder in the second degree after allegedly shooting a 13-year-old boy in the head during a school morning dispute outside a Dunkin’ in Cambria Heights, Queens.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the deadly incident unfolded just after 8:15 a.m. on Monday outside the Dunkin’ at 208-15 Linden Boulevard. The victim, identified as 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel, was on his way to school when he encountered the defendant, who approached on a scooter. The two teens exchanged words before the altercation escalated.
Prosecutors say the teen suspect pulled a loaded semi-automatic handgun from the pocket of his sweatshirt and struck Samuel in the face. The 13-year-old punched back, prompting the older teen to aim the weapon and fire a single round into the victim’s head before fleeing south on Nashville Boulevard.
Samuel was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remained in critical condition until he was pronounced dead two days later.
The 16-year-old suspect turned himself in to police at the 105th Precinct on Friday morning. He was arraigned Saturday before Judge Eugene D. Bowen on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was ordered held without bail and is due back in court on September 29.
If convicted, the teen faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Barry Frankenstein and Assistant District Attorney Andres Sanchez, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jonathan Sennett of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave.
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Key Points
- A 16-year-old has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel in Cambria Heights
- The shooting happened after a verbal altercation outside a Dunkin’ as the victim was heading to school
- The teen suspect fled but later surrendered and faces up to 25 years to life if convicted