Prosecutors said Jaden Pierre, 15, was beaten and shot during a social media-promoted water fight.
QUEENS, N.Y. — An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, authorities said.
Zahir Davis, of Springfield Gardens, was arraigned after police said he returned to New York from Jamaica following the April 16 shooting. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Davis faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree gang assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Pierre was at the park at about 6:15 p.m. with a large group of teenagers who had gathered for a water and gel gun fight promoted on social media, prosecutors said. The gathering turned violent when a group surrounded Pierre and began punching and kicking him, according to the criminal complaint. Katz said Davis then approached, pulled a silver handgun from a bag and shot Pierre once in the chest. Pierre was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Davis after he landed back in New York City. Tisch said Davis had fled to Jamaica after the shooting. Police have described Davis as a reputed member of the BG4 gang and said investigators believe the shooting followed earlier fights between Davis and Pierre. Detectives also reviewed cellphone video from the park as part of the investigation.
Katz called the killing a “senseless act of gun violence” and said her office would pursue the case. “No parent should ever have to bury their 15-year-old child,” Katz said. Prosecutors said the investigation into the group attack remains ongoing. Authorities have not said how many other people may face charges or whether every person seen in the video has been identified.
Davis was remanded after his arraignment and ordered to return to court April 29. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison. In a separate complaint, prosecutors said Davis also was charged with aggravated harassment and harassment for allegedly threatening to shoot his ex-girlfriend, who is the mother of his child, on April 12.
Roy Wilkins Park is a major public space in southeast Queens, with basketball courts, recreation areas and community facilities. The fatal shooting shook families in St. Albans and drew attention because it began at a youth gathering organized online. Officials said Pierre was unarmed when he was attacked.
The case now moves through Queens Criminal Court as detectives continue reviewing video, witness accounts and possible roles of others at the park. Davis remained in custody as of Sunday.
Author note: Last updated April 26, 2026.