Police seek public's help in identifying suspects in Brooklyn teen's fatal shooting
Police have released surveillance images of two suspects wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in a Brooklyn restaurant. The images, released Saturday, show two young people in hoodies and facemasks walking along a sidewalk, according to reports from AM New York and the New York Daily News.
The victim, Ahmir Jordan, was shot in the head on New Lots Avenue near Miller Avenue in East New York around 8:23 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. According to AM New York, police believe the two individuals stood outside Hakim's Restaurant at 514 New Lots Avenue and opened fire into the establishment. The gunmen fired at least 12 times before fleeing, police sources told AM New York.
Jordan was inside the restaurant at the time and was struck in the head, dying at the scene, AM New York reported. However, the New York Daily News reported that medics rushed Jordan to Brookdale Medical Center, where he died. The Daily News also noted that it was unclear whether Jordan was inside the eatery when he was shot or ran inside after being struck.
A 35-year-old patron suffered a laceration after colliding with a glass shelf while fleeing during the shooting, according to AM New York.
Investigation and possible gang link
The shooting may be gang-related, but it is unclear if Jordan was the intended target, AM New York reported, citing police sources. Jordan had no criminal record, authorities said. He lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant, about 2 miles from where he was killed, according to the New York Daily News.
The New York Daily News reported that detectives are investigating the possibility that the killing was linked to ongoing gang tensions in the area. A police source with knowledge of the case said the investigation is ongoing.
The restaurant as a teen hangout
Hakim's Restaurant is only open in the summer and has become a teen hangout, according to a longtime resident who identified himself only as Terrance. Terrance, 65, told the New York Daily News that the restaurant used to draw mostly adults but now attracts teenagers.
"Every day you pass, it's teenagers out front, inside, smoking and drinking," he said. "Not even eating food. Just conversation." Terrance said he did not recognize many of the youths who flock to the eatery.
Police found a shattered window and a pool of blood inside the restaurant after the shooting, the Daily News reported.
Context of recent teen shootings
Jordan's death follows multiple other teen shootings or killings in New York City in August, mostly in the Bronx, according to the New York Daily News. On Aug. 14, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the chest across the street from a Bronx special needs school. On Aug. 12, Riley Billingslea, 15, was killed by a teenager who shot him in the head in the Castle Arms apartment building. On Aug. 11, a 17-year-old was shot in the head by a teen gunman who fled on an e-bike.
Police appeal for information
Police are asking the public to come forward if they recognize the individuals in the surveillance images or know their whereabouts. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
The gunman escaped, and no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, according to AM New York.