Who Killed Sanjay? Queens Boy, 13, Shot Dead
Who Killed Sanjay? Queens Boy, 13, Shot Dead
NEED TO KNOW
- Sanjay Samuel, 13, was shot in the head Monday outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens, and died two days later, People previously reported
- His family says they will donate his organs so others may live, according to ABC7 and NBC New York
- An NYPD spokesperson told PEOPLE the case is being investigated as a homicide; no arrests have been made, and police have released a description of the suspect
A 13-year-old boy who was shot in the head outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens has died — and his killer is still at large.
Sanjay Samuel, a high school freshman, was in the parking lot at the Cambria Heights Dunkin' with friends on Monday morning when someone on a scooter rode up and opened fire at him.
He was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in critical condition, where doctors told his family there was no brain activity. He died on Sept. 24, the NYPD said in a statement.
Known affectionately as “Peanut,” Sanjay had just started high school and hoped to join the basketball team, according to ABC7.
On Wednesday, his mother, Vilene Griffith, described her heartbreak. “My whole world fell apart… Sanjay was the most joyful son I had,” she said, per ABC7. Later, she added, “I’m numb and I’m speechless. I’m just numb.”
NYPD
His father, Theophilus Samuel, said he sat at his son’s bedside, holding his hand. “Daddy loves you. The whole family loves you. We want to see you come back,” he told ABC7.
The family said they plan to donate Sanjay’s organs so others might live, according to ABC7 and NBC New York.
An NYPD spokesperson told PEOPLE that the shooting is being investigated as a homicide and that no arrests have been made. Police said the suspect is a male with a dark complexion who was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants, white sneakers and a backpack with a "JAWS" logo.
NYPD
Neighbors expressed outrage and sorrow.
“This is a son that you like to have," one neighbor told ABC7. "He didn’t deserve this."
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online at the Crime Stoppers website or by messaging @NYPDTips on X.
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