Authorities in New York have arrested three more teenagers in connection with the April gang-fueled beatdown and fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in Queens. The arrests bring the total number of suspects in the case to five.
Details of the Arrests
The three 15-year-olds were arrested on different days: one on May 12, another on Thursday, and the latest on Friday. The teen arrested Friday voluntarily turned himself in at the NYPD’s 113th Precinct. All three are facing charges of gang assault related to the April 16 death of Pierre inside Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans.
The teen arrested Thursday, whose case was being handled in Family Court, was released pending further investigation. The status of the other two 15-year-olds’ cases has not been disclosed.
Background of the Attack
The violent incident reportedly began as a water gun fight organized by Pierre and quickly escalated when rival gang members showed up. Authorities described it as a “bloody end” to what had started as a social media-hyped game.
Zahir Davis, 18, allegedly a member of the emerging BG4 gang, is accused of shooting Pierre in the upper chest with a silver firearm. Davis initially fled to Jamaica but was arrested on April 24 and is being held without bail on second-degree murder and other charges.
Earlier, a 16-year-old was arrested on May 6 for first-degree attempted gang assault and third-degree assault. He was ordered held on $750,000 cash bail or $1 million bond.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to prosecutors, Pierre was dragged to the ground by the group and then forced back to his feet against a fence. The 16-year-old allegedly struck him in the face during the assault. Authorities said Pierre had been involved in a months-long feud with one of the teens, which dated back to January when he was previously attacked.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny explained, “You had a bunch of kids who went there to have fun and play, but then you also had numerous gang members from the area… show up. Then they crossed paths, and this is what led to the shooting.”
