A teenager who fled the country after allegedly shooting a 15-year-old boy during a gang-related altercation in a Queens park has been apprehended.
According to the NYPD, 18-year-old Zahir Davis was taken into custody on Friday night, nearly two weeks after Jaden Pierre was fatally shot in Roy Wilkins Park while surrounded by a group of teens.
Authorities reported that Davis, the suspected shooter, left the country for Jamaica the day following the shocking incident, which was captured on video. He was arrested upon his return to New York City.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced Davis’ arrest Saturday morning.
On April 16, Pierre was among a group of teens who gathered at the park around 6:20 p.m. for a water gun fight that had been promoted on Instagram. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, according to police.
Disturbing footage captured the moment when Davis allegedly fired the shot that struck Pierre, causing him to fall as others ran away in panic.
Pierre suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was later declared dead at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
