A 13-year-old boy is currently in a coma and has been declared brain-dead after a shooting incident in Queens. The shooting took place outside a Dunkin' Donuts on Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights on Monday morning. The boy, identified by his family as Sanjay Samuel, was transferred to the hospital in critical condition following the incident, as reported by NBC New York.
According to Hoodline, the shooting occurred around 8:21 a.m. and the suspect, described as a man with an afro wearing a white hoodie, white sneakers, and carrying a "Jaws"-emblazoned backpack, fled the scene and remains at large. NYPD received a call about the event at approximately 8:30 a.m. and upon arrival, they found the critically injured teen and a backpack believed to belong to the assailant.
"There is nothing more devastating than yet another child becoming a victim of senseless gun violence. Our hearts ache with the family and friends of this 13-year-old who is fighting for his life because of this epidemic," Mayor Eric Adams posted on social media, as per the family's conversation with NBC New York. The area has a poignant history with gun violence against children, with neighbors recalling the death of 13-year-old Kevin Miller in 2009, after whom the section of Linden Boulevard was named.
Authorities are soliciting the public's help in locating the shooter and encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Tips can be made anonymously, and, the family hopes that sharing their heartbreaking story may prompt witnesses or anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward and provide information that could lead to an arrest.
