Mother Prays for Miracle as 13-Year-Old Left Brain Dead After Queens Dunkin’ Donuts Shooting

The mother of a 13-year-old boy shot in the head outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens says her son is brain dead and on life support, and she is praying for a miracle. Sanjay Samuel, a student at Martin Van Buren High School, was shot Monday morning in Cambria Heights while walking to school, Vilene Griffith told CBS New York.

Griffith said Sanjay is not breathing on his own and is unresponsive. Witnesses told The Post that the shooter arrived on a scooter, exchanged words with the boy, and then fired a single shot before fleeing. Police sources described the gunman as an Afro-haired 14-year-old carrying a distinctive “JAWS” bookbag, who fled the scene.

Sanjay was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center for treatment of the life-threatening gunshot wound. The bullet remains lodged in the back of his head, and doctors told his father, Theophilus Samuel, that removing it could worsen his condition.

Motive for the shooting remained under investigation, and no arrests had been made, police said. A 14-year-old classmate told The Post that the typically friendly student may have recently fallen in with the wrong crowd.

Sanjay had just graduated from middle school earlier this year and was a basketball player who dreamed of becoming a firefighter. Griffith described her son as full of life and said she remains hopeful, telling CBS New York, “Miracles do happen, and I’m trusting God for Sanjay to get up.”

A GoFundMe page to support the Samuel family has been set up at gofundme/support-sanjay-samuels-recovery. The family has said any contributions will help with medical expenses and ongoing care as they navigate this ordeal.

The investigation continues as authorities review surveillance footage and interview witnesses. Authorities have not released additional updates on the condition of the shooter or any potential motive, and no arrests have been announced at this time.