An eyewitness heard gunshots at the opening game of the Kingdome Basketball Tournament on Friday night. He was there with his son.
“We had some bad circumstances yesterday. Kind of scrambled, get low and, you know, flee to safety,” a person who identified himself as Cshmere told NY1. “The violence needs to stop. Things need to just get better. and, you know, there’s other ways that we could solve our problems.”
The shooting happened on a court right in the middle of a NYCHA development in Harlem. A 35-year-old was killed and two others were injured.
What You Need To Know
35-year-old Kinu Rochford was shot and killed while playing at a basketball tournament in Harlem
The shooting happened on a court in the middle of the Martin Luther King Jr. NYCHA development
Two others were taken to the hospital in stable condition
Rochford played basketball for Fairleigh Dickinson University and professionally for a number of different teams in Europe.
The victim, identified as Kinu Rochford, was a father of a young son, lived in Brooklyn and worked for a company called “WIN” that helps homeless families.
Rochford played basketball for Fairleigh Dickinson University and professionally for a number of different teams in Europe.
The university is remembering him as “a standout knight and leader” that built a legacy in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Residents nearby are feeling rattled.
“What happened back there yesterday night, as a matter of fact, it’s unbelievable. All we’re trying to do is play basketball, have fun, and enjoy the basketball game and live life with our family. But unfortunately, you know what i’m saying, it’s sad,” Khalil Irvingg told NY1.
“For the younger community, for the younger youth, it’s a little bit scary because being young myself and playing in these type of tournaments, if I don’t feel safe, I feel like that takes away a lot from my life,” Azeel Cepeda said.
Kingdom Games posted a statement on its Instagram account, writing in part, “we unequivocally condemn all forms of violence and remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a safe and positive environment for our youth and community.”
In a statement posted on X, Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote he was heartbroken for the victim’s family, adding, “we are working closely with our community partners to provide services to those affected and the entire community. Our administration is using every lever across agencies to prevent further violence and ensure all new yorkers can safely enjoy the city this summer.”
Dr. Iesha Sekou, the founder and CEO of Street Corner Resources, an organization that responds to acts of violence, says there has to be a presence for organizations like her own to help mediate these situations.
“We also need the support of our area police departments in a way that is good for the community,” Sekou said. “We are asking that the community stand up with each other against violence and we don’t want the summer to stop before it actually began.”
On Sunday afternoon, community organizations like Street Corner Resources are planning to gather by the court to stand against violence.
A police source told NY1 it seems like this shooting stemmed from a dispute, but so far, there have been no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.