Police have released a new photo of a person in connection to a shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy Monday afternoon near an apartment complex in Edgemere.
According to the NYPD, Malakai Adams was shot in the back around 3:30 p.m. on Ocean Channel Drive.
On Tuesday, police shared a photo of the suspect riding off on what they said was the victim’s scooter shortly after the shooting. The suspect could be seen wearing a black hoodie and mask.
“It was crowded. There were kids. There were adults there as well. They looked very sad and very like, panicked a little bit,” said Rhea Lowe, who witnessed the aftermath. “They were like running around [and] there was some screaming going on.”
In a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs, Adams’ mother wrote: “At 14, he had his whole life ahead of him — dreams to chase, milestones to reach, and so many more memories we should have had the chance to make together.”
On Tuesday, anti-violence activist Minister Isaac Mickens visited the neighborhood, calling for an end to the violence.
“With community checkpoints, we can stop these senseless crimes that have been occurring in the community, immediately,” Mickens said.
According to the latest NYPD crime data, Adams’ death marks the sixth murder so far this year in the 101st Precinct, which covers the eastern end of the Rockaway Peninsula — twice the number of murders recorded in that precinct during the same period last year.
Police are still investigating whether the shooter and Adams knew one another. As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been no arrests.
Police have not yet recovered the scooter.