16-year-old suspect surrenders in Queens Dunkin’ Donuts shooting that killed 13-year-old
Police identify Jaysohn Sykes as the primary suspect; investigators say the case may be gang-related, while the victim’s family disputes any gang ties.
A 16-year-old suspect surrendered to police Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens earlier this week. Jaysohn Sykes, a student at Campus Magnet High School, turned himself in around noon at the 105th Precinct stationhouse, a day after investigators publicly identified him as the shooter in the Monday morning slaying outside the Springfield Gardens Dunkin’ Donuts.
Police said video from the scene shows the suspect arriving on a Razer scooter, confronting a group, and displaying a pistol that caused the crowd to scatter. After a brief fight with the victim, Sanjay Samuel, the gun was fired and the suspect fled the area on the scooter, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Investigators believe the incident unfolded during a group altercation that escalated to fatal gunfire.
Authorities named Jaysohn Sykes, 16, as the primary suspect. Officials have described the case as potentially gang-related, citing Samuel’s online posts about the SSM gang, a Bloods subset. However, Samuel had no listing in the NYPD gang database and had no prior criminal history, and his family has denied gang ties.
Sykes has posted on social media that include a blood drop symbol, though police said he did not explicitly reference any gang. The U.S. Marshals Service helped arrange Sykes’ surrender, and police did not file charges immediately as the investigation continues.
Sanjay Samuel, a 13-year-old student, was killed Monday when he was shot in the head outside the Dunkin’ Donuts in the Springfield Gardens neighborhood. The case has drawn attention to violent incidents along commercial strips in the area, and investigators say they are reviewing surveillance footage and social media activity to establish motive, sequence, and potential accomplices.
Police cautioned that the investigation remains active and ongoing. A spokesman for the NYPD said detectives are pursuing all leads and coordinating with federal authorities on the surrender. The family of Samuel declined further comment beyond expressing grief and urging calm as investigators continue to pursue justice.
