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Teen Charged With Murder in Queens Park Shooting After Return From Jamaica

Prosecutors describe a group assault at a social‑media meetup as the backdrop to the killing.

Overview

  • Zahir Davis, 18, was taken into custody Friday night after landing in New York, with NYPD detectives on the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force arresting him following a flight back from Jamaica.
  • He was arraigned Saturday in Queens on second-degree murder, first-degree gang assault, and weapons charges, was ordered held without bail, and also faced a separate harassment complaint over an alleged threat to an ex-girlfriend days earlier.
  • Police say the April 16 shooting at Roy Wilkins Park followed a water and gel-gun meetup promoted on social media where a group of teens beat 15-year-old Jaden Pierre before a single shot struck his chest.
  • Investigators point to bystander video that captured the beating and the moment a gun appeared, and detectives have linked the dispute to youths tied to BG4 and other crews.
  • Authorities say the priority now is identifying others in the group attack, with public tips requested, as vigils for Pierre underscore concern about youth violence at pop-up park gatherings.