A 16-year-old accused of fatally shooting a boy outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Queens was ordered held without bail on Saturday, September 27th, while facing murder and weapons charges.
Prosecutors allege that Jaysohn Sykes, known by the nickname “Flex,” shot 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel once in the head on Monday morning outside the Springfield Gardens shop. Samuel was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he was placed on life support but later died on Wednesday.
Sykes, a student at Campus Magnet High School in Cambria Heights, turned himself in at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village on Friday. He was arraigned the following day on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 29th.
Queens DA officials emphasized the seriousness of the charges, pointing to the impact of gun violence on young people across the borough. The case continues as investigators work to piece together the events that led to the deadly confrontation.
