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Queens teen charged with murder in fatal shooting of 13-year-old outside Dunkin’ store
By
Phil Corso
Published Sep 28, 2025
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By
Phil Corso
Published Sep 28, 2025
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A 16-year-old from South Jamaica has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel in the head during a confrontation outside a Dunkin’ store in Cambria Heights, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
Prosecutors said the two teens got into an argument around 8:15 a.m. Monday, near 208-15 Linden Blvd., as Samuel was walking to school.
The older teen allegedly pulled a loaded semi-automatic handgun from his sweatshirt pocket, struck Samuel in the face with the weapon and was then punched by Samuel, authorities said. He then allegedly fired a single shot into Samuel’s head before fleeing on a scooter, according to the DA’s office.
Sanjay Samuel was shot and critically injured in Cambria Heights on Sept. 24, 2025.
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Officials said Samuel was taken to a local hospital and died from his injuries two days later. Authorities said the 16-year-old suspect turned himself in Friday at the NYPD’s 105th Precinct in Queens Village.
He was arraigned Saturday on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. A judge ordered him held without bail. He’s due back in court on Monday.
If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Attorney information for the 16-year-old was not immediately available.
According to LiveOnNY, a nonprofit that coordinates organ donation in the region, Sanjay Samuel became an organ donor hero following his death. They said his family donated six of his organs, saving the lives of four people across New York, Ohio and Washington, D.C.
The recipient of his heart was also 13 years old, and a 15-year-old received his liver, a spokesperson said. His lungs, pancreas and one kidney went to adults in their 50s.
Samuel is the youngest person to die from gun violence in New York City this year, according to NYPD data analyzed by Gothamist.
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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