16-year-old suspect in murder of 13-year-old boy in Queens turns himself in to police outside Dunkin’ Donuts.

A 16-year-old male suspect has voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement authorities in connection with the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel, who was reportedly targeted while on his way to school. The surrender occurred at the 105th Precinct station in Queens Village. As of now, criminal charges against the teenager have not yet been formally filed, and due to his age, his identity will not be disclosed.

The incident took place on the morning of September 22, 2025, outside a Dunkin’ Donuts located at the intersection of Springfield Boulevard and Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights. Sanjay, accompanied by classmates from Martin Van Buren High School, was engaged in an altercation with the alleged shooter, who approached the group on a Razor scooter. Investigators believe the encounter was motivated by gang rivalry, specifically linked to affiliations with the Bloods gang. Authorities noted that the victim had identified himself as a gang member affiliated with a subset of the Bloods known as “Sex, Money, Murder” through his social media presence.

The NYPD had previously released surveillance images of the suspected shooter, with Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny confirming that the department was collaborating with an attorney to facilitate the teen’s surrender. On the day of the incident, video evidence captured a confrontation between the two individuals, which escalated into a physical altercation. The suspect brandished a firearm during the encounter, prompting bystanders to flee the scene. A bullet struck Sanjay, who was subsequently rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.

In a twist of events, the shooter was observed fleeing the scene, and a good Samaritan attempted to intervene by pursuing him. During this chase, the suspect was recorded asking for a ride before ultimately handing over his sweatshirt to the Samaritan, a piece of evidence that later assisted police in identifying him.

Sanjay’s father, Theophilus Samuel, has disputed claims suggesting his son was involved in gang activity, arguing that his son had maintained a structured schedule, including spending the summer in Connecticut with relatives. He emphasized that his son lacked the opportunity to engage in such street activities.

This tragic event underscores the ongoing issues surrounding youth violence and gang-related activities in urban areas. As the investigation continues, the community remains in mourning for the loss of a young life, while law enforcement works diligently to address the factors contributing to such violent incidents.