Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that a 16-year-old male was arraigned on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon for the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy in Cambria Heights. The victim, Sanjay Samuel, was on his way to school when he was shot in the head at the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot on September 22.

District Attorney Katz said: “The shooting death of Sanjay Samuel shocked our city. As alleged, the 13-year-old victim was senselessly murdered by another teenager who pulled out a gun and fired a round into Samuel’s head. The 16-year-old defendant is now indicted on murder charges for this completely senseless act of violence and faces up to 25 years to life in prison. My office will continue to invest in youth services, while also holding to account those who choose to inflict gun violence in our communities.”

The 16-year-old defendant, of South Jamaica, was arraigned today on a grand jury indictment charging him with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Bruna Dibiase continued remand and ordered the defendant to return to court on November 21. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges, on September 22, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Sanjay Samuel, was walking in front of the Dunkin’ shop at 208-15 Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights. The defendant approached the victim on a scooter and the two teens began arguing.

The defendant then took out a loaded semi-automatic firearm from the front pocket of his sweatshirt and struck the victim in the face. Samuel punched the defendant. During the altercation, the defendant allegedly aimed the firearm at the victim’s head and fired one time, striking Samuel in the head. The defendant then fled from the location.

The victim died two days later as a result of his gunshot injury.

The defendant surrendered to the NYPD’s 105th Precinct on September 26.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Matthew Alfino of the NYPD’s 105^th Detective Squad.

Deputy Bureau Chief Barry Frankenstein of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau along with Assistant District Attorney Andres Sanchez are prosecuting this case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Sennett, Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave.