Queens teen held without bail in Dunkin’ Donuts shooting that killed 13-year-old boy
The 16-year-old suspect, Jaysohn Sykes, was arraigned on second-degree murder and weapons charges; bail was denied, with potential punishment up to 25 years to life.
A Queens teenager was ordered held without bail on murder and weapons charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Springfield Gardens earlier this week. Jaysohn Sykes, 16, who goes by the nickname Flex, was denied bail on second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges, the Queens District Attorney’s Office said. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years to life in prison. His next court appearance is Sept. 29.
The shooting occurred around 8:20 a.m. Monday as a scooter-riding gunman opened fire during a group brawl believed to be gang-related, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Sanjay Samuel, a 13-year-old Martin Van Buren High School student, was struck once in the head and rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he was placed on life support and died Wednesday.
Investigators believe Sykes fired during the group altercation, authorities said. Samuel was a student at Martin Van Buren High School; Sykes attended Campus Magnet High School in Cambria Heights, according to police and court filings.
Sykes turned himself in the day after the shooting at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village, and he was arraigned on murder and weapon charges the following day, prosecutors said. The Queens District Attorney’s Office announced that bail was denied at the weekend proceeding, and the maximum possible penalty for the charges would be 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
The case remains under investigation by the NYPD, and prosecutors have indicated the incident was part of ongoing concerns about youth violence and gang-linked clashes in New York City.
