New NYPD photos show backpack-wearing suspect in deadly NYC shooting of boy, 15

New NYPD photos show a backpack-wearing suspect in the deadly Queens shooting of a 15-year-old boy Thursday — as sources say the gun violence erupted while kids gathered for a water balloon fight. Jaden Pierre was shot in the torso just before 6:20 p.m.Thursday near Nautilus Playground in Roy Wilkins Park in St.

Albans, police said. The gravely wounded teen – found lying on the ground when cops responded to a 911 call – was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died, cops said.The surveillance photos, released by the NYPD Friday afternoon, show the young-looking suspect – wearing a light-colored sweatsuit and black backpack – glancing at his phone and carrying a soda bottle while strolling on the sidewalk. The deadly gunfire erupted when multiple teens gathered in the park for a water balloon fight as temperatures in the Big Apple reached unseasonable highs, according to law enforcement sources.The apparently innocent gathering descended into chaos when a fight broke out, the sources said. It was unclear Friday what the fight was over.The 15-year-old boy appeared to be the intended target of the shooting, and police are investigating whether it was gang-related, according to the sources.Disturbing footage posted on X by former Mayor Eric Adams shows a group of kids repeatedly punching Pierre, wearing black, before one of them shoots him point-blank, causing him to fall backwards.“A 15-year-old kid was beaten and shot to death at a Southeast Queens playground yesterday,” Adams captioned the post.“And somehow this isn’t the top story.

Credit to AG Letitia James & BP Richards for speaking up.“Where is everyone else, including @NYCMayor Mamdani?” he wrote.“Outrage shouldn’t depend on zip code.

Every child deserves protection.”Mamdani has not publicly commented on the shooting.The Post has reached out to City Hall for comment. A frequent parkgoer named AJ who recognized the young victim said Thursday that “these badass little kid...