14-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead by Friend in Jamaica, Queens; Teen Charged

Jamauri Mezar, 14, was fatally shot inside a Queens apartment Wednesday while friends played with a gun. A 15-year-old has been charged with manslaughter.

Teen fatally shot during gun play in Jamaica apartment, 15-year-old charged

A 14-year-old boy was shot and killed inside a Queens apartment on Wednesday afternoon when a group of friends were apparently handling a firearm, abc7ny.com reports. A 15-year-old has since been arrested and charged in connection with the death.

Police sources identified the victim as Jamauri Mezar. The shooting occurred around 5 p.m. on 161st Street in Jamaica, Queens. When officers arrived, they found one of Mezar's friends at the scene along with the gun. Mezar was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.

The 15-year-old suspect was taken into custody and charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The arrest was announced around 11:45 a.m. Thursday. Police have not released the suspect's name, as he is a minor.

Investigators believe the 15-year-old was handling the firearm when it discharged. Detectives are now working to establish how the gun came to be inside the apartment. Police sources said they believe one of the friends brought it, though ownership has not yet been confirmed. Mezar's stepfather, who works as a security guard, does not own a gun, according to police.

Neighbors described the scene outside the apartment as deeply distressing. One resident said Mezar's mother collapsed and could not stand. "She was on the ground. Collapsed on the ground and she was wailing. And there was someone consoling her," the neighbor said.

Another neighbour, Phylicia Hinton, said she had watched Mezar grow up in the building. "He was a very, very nice kid," she said. "He would say good morning to me and make sure that he takes out his mother's trash." Hinton described Mezar's mother as a nurse. "Her not being able to save her son in this situation — going out and putting her life on the line and being able to save people every day and not being able to reach her son — hearing that is just a horrific thing," Hinton said.

The investigation into Mezar's death remains ongoing.

Source: Google News JM — Crime