The 18-year-old accused of killing a teenager in Queens, New York, was arrested after fleeing to Jamaica and returning to the city, where he now faces murder charges, reported The New York Post.
The detainee was identified as Zahir Davis identified by the police as the person allegedly responsible for the death of Jaden Pierre a 15-year-old boy who was shot in a violent confrontation on April 16 at Roy Wilkins Park.
Davis, according to the New York Police Department, He left the country for Jamaica the day after the crime. However, he returned to the city and was captured on Friday, around 9:20 p.m., just after landing.
A prosecutor at the hearing noted post, He said that the return occurred after the authorities They urged his father to convince him to return.
The police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, confirmed the capture this Saturday:
“New York Police Department detectives assigned to the United States Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Zahir Davis for the senseless murder of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in a Queens park last week. Davis fled to Jamaica after the shooting and was immediately arrested when he landed back in New York on Friday night.”
NYPD detectives assigned to the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Job Power delight in arrested Zahir Davis for the senseless killing of 15-yr-former Jaden Pierre in a park in Queens most though-provoking week. Davis fled to Jamaica following the taking pictures and became arrested straight away when he landed lend a hand… https://t.co/Q77q6Zgyby
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) April 25, 2026
That same day, Davis was brought before a Queens court, where he pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor’s Office indicated that, if convicted, he could face a sentence of between 25 years in prison and life imprisonment.
During the transfer of the accused out of the 113th police station, Relatives and friends of the victim scolded him with shouts and insults, while police officers intervened to avoid confrontations.
As reviewed The New York Post, Davis remained no reaction seen to the scene.
Authorities maintain that the shooting occurred when a group of teenagers gathered at the park for an activity that had been promoted on Instagram as a “fight” with water guns.
However, the situation led to a real confrontation between rival groups.
A video captured the moment the alleged attacker fired, causing the victim to fall to the ground while other young people fled the scene. Pierre was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Alleged disputes between gangs
Detective Joe Kenny explained that the incident It would be linked to disputes between gangs dating back to at least January. According to him, Davis is allegedly part of a group known as BG4.
“There were young people who went to the park to have fun, but Gang members from the area also arrived. When they coincided, the shooting took place,” the official said in a press conference.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement: “This senseless act of armed violence will not go unpunished. “No parent should have to bury their 15-year-old child.”
The victim’s mother, Shantelle Weston, described her son as a respectful young man and regretted what happened. “He didn’t deserve this,” he told the New York newspaper.
During the hearing it was also mentioned that Davis would be linked to a domestic harassment case. According to the prosecution, he had threatened to shoot his ex-partner, with whom he has a son.
The judge ordered full protection for the alleged victim and required the surrender of any firearms in the defendant’s possession.
Davis is due back in court on April 29. while the judicial process against him progresses.
Keep reading:
• Quinceañero dies shot in a park in Queens; 2nd case in New York in 24 hours
• NYPD Searches for Suspect in Killing Teen in Queens as Victim’s Family Demands Justice
• Elderly man in wheelchair: no one safe from deadly shootings in New York, although police and mayor are “optimistic”