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NYPD Names 18-Year-Old Person of Interest in Killing of 15-Year-Old Jaden Pierre

Police say video from a park brawl points to a feud with gang ties at a social-media takeover.

Overview

  • Detectives identified 18-year-old Zahir Davis as a person of interest and are searching for him, with police saying he may have fled to Jamaica as images of him circulate to the public.
  • Pierre was shot in the chest during a large water and gel gun gathering at Roy Wilkins Park on Thursday, after a fistfight spilled across a basketball court and bystanders recorded the violence.
  • Investigators reviewing cellphone and surveillance video say the suspect appeared to try to pistol whip Pierre during the melee, and the gun fired during the strike.
  • Police link the case to an ongoing feud that drew at least six gangs to the Instagram-promoted event, and describe Davis as tied to the emerging BG4 crew with connections noted across precincts and local schools.
  • Community leaders held a Monday vigil where the state attorney general urged the suspect to surrender, followed by a Tuesday emergency meeting that pressed for tips to Crime Stoppers and more programs to keep teens safe.