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Teen surrenders to NYPD hours before funeral of 15-year-old killed in Bronx apartment
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Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 26, 2026
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By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Aug 26, 2026
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A 16-year-old boy is facing murder charges for fatally shooting a 15-year-old boy in an apartment bedroom in the Bronx earlier this month, according to police.
Officials said the teenager turned himself in on Tuesday morning in connection with Riley Billingslea's death on Aug. 12. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the 16-year-old suspect and Billingslea were hanging out with several other boys in an apartment on Claflin Avenue in the Bronx that evening when the older teen pulled a gun out of his backpack.
“He inserts a magazine, racks the gun back, and makes the statement, ‘I'm gonna throw some pain,’” Kenny said at a press conference about the incident. He said the suspect shot Billingslea in the head, killing him instantly. A 13-year-old boy who was also at the scene was grazed in the chest when the bullet ricocheted off a wall.
Information for the teen’s lawyer was not immediately available Wednesday morning. He is also being charged with attempted murder, manslaughter and criminal weapons possession.
The teen’s arrest came several hours before a funeral for Billingslea at the Lawrence H. Woodward Funeral Home in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Mourners donned blue clothing, and more than a dozen of his friends gave emotional tributes, according to Bishop Boyde Singletary, who presided over the prayers during the service.
“The killing of Riley has devastated not only the family, but the wider community,” Singletary told Gothamist. “The mother is hurting, the grandmother is hurting, the school, his teachers, the principals and friends are hurting.”
Billingslea’s obituary described him as a bright student at Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy who “loved building things from scratch” and dreamed of becoming an engineer. He loved Hot Wheels, animals, making pizza, playing sports like basketball and football, and playing video games. He was his mother’s only child.
“The family still needs answers of what really happened in that apartment,” Singletary said.
Billingslea is one of at least 14 teenagers killed in shootings so far this year.
According to police reports compiled by Gothamist, at least 21 teenagers have been arrested so far this year for fatal shootings —– more than any other age group. At least 18 older adults have been arrested for similar incidents, according to the data.
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Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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