Overview
- The Queens killing, which happened Thursday around 6:15 p.m., left 15-year-old Jaden Pierre dead as police released surveillance photos of a suspect in a light sweatsuit with a backpack.
- Detectives say a fight at the Nautilus Playground basketball court led to the shooting, and they are reviewing video and asking for tips to find the gunman.
- In the Long Island case Wednesday night, Nassau County says a Bloods-organized barbecue advertised on social media preceded gunfire that killed a 15-year-old and wounded a 28-year-old and a 31-year-old, who are stable.
- Officers recovered guns at Eisenhower Park and detained two people on weapons charges, and the park has since reopened as that homicide investigation continues.
- Gothamist reports city homicides are down about 23% this year through April 12, yet the back-to-back killings of teenagers in public parks have renewed alarm about youth gun violence.