Police searching for gunman after 15-year-old boy fatally shot at St. Albans park

Police have released images of the person wanted in connection with the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in Queens.

The shooting happened around 6:15 p.m. on Thursday at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans during a large fight.

Police were still patrolling the park on Friday, and in the afternoon, put up posters of the alleged gunman who is still on the loose.

Eyewitness News spoke with the 15-year-old victim’s aunt, who was too distraught to speak on camera, but said he was her favourite nephew and was a sweet kid.

Police have identified the victim as Jaden Pierre. They say it all began when a fight broke out on the basketball court at the park.

Residents say it started when 300 teenagers swarmed the park for a water balloon fight.

Several kids attacked the 15-year-old before a single shot was fired, according to police. They say that the shot struck Pierre in the chest. He was taken to the hospital but could not be saved.

The other young people who were at the park scattered, and the gunman is still on the loose.

Former Mayor Eric Adams posted a video of the shooting on social media and called for more to be done to protect children.

The video captured the innocent fun escalating from a fist fight to deadly gunfire.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards stated that, “The pain of losing Jaden Pierre to gun violence at 15 years old is indescribable, and I grieve with his family, friends, Eagle Academy classmates and teachers and all who loved him.”

A woman who knew Pierre visited the park on Friday morning. She described him as energetic and someone who looked out for others.

“He was very inviting to my son every time my son played basketball with him,” she said. “This could have been prevented. Everyone that stood by and watched – they had a moral obligation to say, ‘y’all stop it ain’t that serious.'”

No arrests have been made, but police are hoping the newly released images will help their search.

They are also currently reviewing cell phone video of the alleged suspect running away.

The motive is still unclear, but Eyewitness News was told it may be gang-related.

There is a $3,500 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.

The deadly shooting came less than 24 hours after another 15-year-old boy was killed during a separate shooting at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County on Wednesday night.

Stacey Sager has the details on the shooting in Eisenhower Park.

Police are also investigating that shooting as possible gang violence, but there is no indication that the shootings are connected.