Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that a 16-year-old male was charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon for the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy on his way to school.

District Attorney Katz said: “Losing a 13-year-old to gun violence is tragic under any circumstance. As alleged, what should have been another day for school, turned deadly when the defendant pulled out a gun and fired into the 13-year-old victim’s head. This decision not only took the young victim’s life but now has severely altered the defendant’s future. This case is an example of the senseless gun violence that endangers public safety and takes the lives of too many of our children.”

The 16-year-old defendant, of South Jamaica, was charged with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He was arraigned Saturday morning before Judge Eugene D. Bowen, who ordered him remanded and returned to court on September 29. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges, on Monday, September 22, at approximately 8:15 a.m., the victim, Sanjay Samuel, 13, was walking in front of Dunkin’ at 208-15 Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights when he was approached by the defendant, who was on a scooter.

The two teens became engaged in a verbal argument which led the defendant to produce a loaded semi-automatic firearm from the front pocket of his sweatshirt. After displaying the weapon, the defendant struck the victim in the face with the weapon. Samuel then punched the defendant. During the fight, the defendant aimed the weapon at the victim’s head and fired the gun one time, striking Samuel in the head with a bullet. The defendant then fled the location, heading southbound on Nashville Boulevard.

The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries two days later.

The defendant surrendered to the NYPD’s 105^th Precinct on Friday morning.

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.