Jaden Pierre, 15, was fatally shot at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens after a fight turned violent. The attack, captured on video by bystanders, showed teens surrounding him before a gunshot ended his life. Over 200 mourners gathered Monday for a vigil, placing candles and letters spelling his name on the bloodstained asphalt where he fell.Shanelle Weston, Jaden’s mother, knelt sobbing, crying, “Oh, my baby,” as family members and community leaders condemned the senseless violence. New York Attorney General Letitia James urged the suspect—identified in a police photo but not yet arrested—to surrender, stating authorities know his location.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting “unacceptable” and pledged action against gun violence, though he faced criticism for not attending the vigil.Jaden, a student at Eagle Academy, was described as a talented rapper, basketball player, and actor. His great-grandmother, Nellie Washington, 80, watched the video and said, “That pain went through my heart.” The incident has sparked outrage, with former Mayor Eric Adams sharing the footage on social media, demanding accountability. Police remain focused on identifying the shooter, whose identity and motive remain unclear.