Tragedy in Queens as Teen Fatally Shot During Gun Play at Home

A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Jamaica, Queens this week when a 14-year-old boy, Jamuri Mezar, was fatally shot inside his apartment, leading to the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. The tragic shooting occurred on Wednesday evening inside the Norman Towers apartment complex, where the two boys—alongside other teenagers—were reportedly playing with a firearm.

Authorities say the 15-year-old, whose name remains withheld due to his age, had brought the gun to Jamuri’s residence. At some point during the gathering, the weapon discharged, striking Jamuri in the head. Officers responding to the emergency call arrived around 5 p.m. and discovered the young teen with a severe gunshot wound. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

According to law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, the gun was being passed around by the group when it went off unexpectedly. The circumstances of how the firearm was handled and who had possession at the exact moment of discharge remain under investigation. Witnesses report that at least two other teenagers fled the apartment immediately after the shooting.

The suspect was arrested the following day, just before noon. The tragedy has left the Queens community reeling and once again raised concerns about youth access to firearms and gun safety in homes.

This incident marks the second fatal shooting involving a minor in New York City within just two days. On Tuesday, 17-year-old Darrell Harris was shot and killed in a Bronx park after a water gun fight escalated into a deadly altercation. The back-to-back shootings have intensified worries over rising youth violence.

While overall gun violence in New York City has shown a significant decline, recent data paints a concerning picture when it comes to young people. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of juvenile shooting victims surged by 133% compared to the same period in 2018. Additionally, the number of minors identified as shooters rose by 112% over that same span.

Ironically, despite the increase in youth-involved shootings, the NYPD reported that the first quarter of 2025 had the lowest total number of shootings for that period since official tracking began in 1994. This contrast highlights a troubling disparity—while citywide violence may be decreasing, gun-related incidents among minors are spiking.

The tragedy at Norman Towers stands as a stark reminder of the dangers posed when firearms fall into the hands of young individuals. As investigations continue, community leaders and residents alike are calling for increased education, stricter enforcement, and more robust prevention efforts to keep such heartbreaking incidents from becoming a recurring headline.