Queens Dunkin’ Donuts shooting tied to gang feud; 16-year-old suspect identified by police

New York City police said Thursday that the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy outside a Queens Dunkin’ Donuts appears tied to a gang feud, and they identified the suspected shooter as 16-year-old Jaysohn Sykes. The attack occurred around 8:20 a.m. Monday when investigators say Sykes rolled up on the group on a Razor scooter and opened fire, leaving Sanjay Samuel brain dead.

Sanjay Samuel, 13, who posted online under the nickname “J2 Guns,” appeared to have ties to the SSM gang, a Bloods subset, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Samuel had no prior criminal history listed in the police department’s records, and he was not in the NYPD’s criminal group database, Kenny noted. The shooting took place as a group confrontation escalated near the storefront, the police explained.

Investigators described a sequence in which Sykes confronted the group during a brawl, briefly stepped back, retrieved a pistol, and then returned to shoot Samuel in the head as the crowd scattered. Kenny said the perpetrator then fled the scene on his scooter. A good Samaritan attempting to intervene halted Sykes briefly and asked the teen to surrender and hand over his gun; instead, the suspect asked for a ride, and when pressed for information, he offered his sweatshirt to the bystander. The sweatshirt provided a highly identifiable link to the suspect, the chief said.

The NYPD has probable cause to arrest Sykes, and investigators with the Regional Fugitive Task Force were contacted by law enforcement officials to arrange a surrender, Kenny said. “What we’re getting from our victim’s friends is that Flex is a known troublemaker in the area,” he added, referring to Sykes by the nickname he uses on social media. Video from the Dunkin’ Donuts scene shows taunts directed at the suspect, including references to his death, Kenny said. Police also noted several social media postings showing a blood drop associated with Sykes, but not an explicit gang designation.

Samuel’s family, meanwhile, is keeping the 13-year-old on a ventilator in the hopes of organ donation, Kenny said. The family’s decision comes as investigators continue to search for the shooter, who remains at large.

The case unfolds amid broader concerns about gun violence and youth crime in New York City, issues that frequently surface in local and national political discussions about policing, public safety, and community interventions. Police officials stressed that authorities are pursuing all leads and reviewing surveillance and social media materials to build a timeline and identify accomplices, if any.

As the investigation continues, authorities urged anyone with information to contact the NYPD or Crime Stoppers. The department did not specify any possible motive beyond a stated link to a gang feud, and there was no indication Wednesday of additional arrests tied to the case. The shooting is part of a continuing pattern of violence involving minors in public spaces, which has prompted renewed calls for youth-focused prevention and intervention programs, as well as policy discussions on how to address gang activity in densely populated neighborhoods.

Sykes, whose legal representation has been engaged as investigators pursue his surrender, is described by police as a teenager who has previously generated attention in the area. Kenny said the investigation remains active and ongoing as the department works to locate the suspect and gather additional evidence from witnesses and digital sources. The department did not provide a timetable for possible arrests, noting that operations would continue as information is developed.

The event underscores the ongoing challenges of reducing gun violence among youths in urban settings and the complex dynamics of gang-affiliated activity. It also highlights how local incidents can spill into broader public discourse about safety policies, community resources, and youth outreach initiatives in cities across the United States.