Queens, NY – A 13-year-old boy was fatally shot outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens Monday morning in what authorities say was connected to a gang dispute. Police have identified a 16-year-old suspect believed to be responsible for the shooting.
Details of the Shooting
Sanjay Samuel, a student at Martin Van Buren High School, was shot in the head around 8:20 a.m. while standing outside the coffee shop. He was left brain dead, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
The alleged shooter, Jaysohn Sykes, also 16 and a student at Campus Magnet High School, reportedly approached Samuel on a Razor scooter and fired the fatal shot.
Social Media and Gang Context
Authorities stated the shooting was tied to a gang-related feud, although Samuel’s family insisted he had no gang affiliations. Police noted that Samuel sometimes posted online about SSM, or Sex Money Murder, a subset of the Bloods, but he had no criminal record and was not listed in the NYPD’s criminal group database.
Samuel’s father, Theophilus Samuel, said,
“He wasn’t involved in nothing. Every time I called him when he should be home from school, he was home.”
His mother, Velene Griffith, criticized the influence of social media on youth, stating to NYPost, “These kids — they talk too much on social media. They live on the phone, on social media to hype themselves up, to look grown, to look big and bad.”
How the Incident Unfolded
Investigators said the shooting occurred during a group confrontation outside the Dunkin’ Donuts. Sykes allegedly approached a group of teens, who initially scattered when he displayed a pistol.
A physical altercation followed between Sykes and Samuel, during which the gun was fired. A good Samaritan witnessed Sykes fleeing the scene and attempted to intervene. While Sykes refused to hand over the gun, he gave the civilian his sweatshirt, which later helped identify him.
Suspect Background and Identification
Sykes, known by the nickname “Flex,” has a history of juvenile offenses, including a robbery in October 2023 and a gang assault in December 2022. Both cases were processed as juvenile delinquency and later sealed. Authorities noted that Sykes has posted images with a blood drop symbol on social media, though no explicit gang affiliations were mentioned online.
The NYPD released two photos of Sykes—one showing him holding a gun while running and another a side-profile close-up. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants, white sneakers, and a backpack with the “JAWS” logo. Law enforcement continues to pursue him through the Regional Fugitive Task Force, and discussions are underway with his attorney regarding a potential surrender.
Family Response and Community Impact
Samuel’s family kept his body on ventilator support in hopes of donating his organs while investigators work to bring justice. The tragic shooting has left the community shocked and grieving, raising concerns about youth violence, gang influence, and social media behavior in Queens.
How do you think communities can better protect teens from violence and gang activity? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below to join the conversation about keeping children safe in NYC.
