Teen Shot Dead In NYC; Sets New Rise In Gunfire-Related Deaths For 2019

Aamir Griffin had just arrived back home from leading his time to a victory with nailing a three-point buzzer-beater. For the teen, there were still more games to play. He proceeded to head to the court to play with friends.

According to police, after 8 p.m., several shots were fired near the intersection of Foch Boulevard and Long Street. One of those bullets hit Aamir, causing him to fall to the ground with a bullet lodged in his torso. He was rushed to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was unfortunately pronounced dead, NY Times reported.

“Aamir was not like these little kids out here running around and trying to gangbang for fun,” said his friend Isis Eastman, 16. “Aamir just played ball. That’s all he did.”

The 113th Precinct, the station associated with the area where Aamir was killed Saturday, has had more than 20 shootings alone this year compared to 13 in the same period last year.

Chief of Detectives Dermot F. Shea stated that the shootings appeared to have stemmed from a feud between two rival gangs. “These are young kids with guns,” he said. “Sometimes they forget what they were fighting for.”

Aamir was described as playful, charismatic and lighthearted. It is said that he was extremely easy to be around and showed others respect. Residents recalled the child often stopping by the local corner store to order a chopped cheese with jalapeños and always offering to help the owner stack the shelves, NY Times added.

Aamir’s death shocked the community. Mainly because he was on a separate path. Instead of being off the streets, he was focused on his dreams such as basketball.

He was unphased by his appearance. Although he was short and a chubby child with round cheeks, he played as if he were tall and lean. Aamir was always working on drills, challenging friends and participating in tournaments. He was almost always seen with a basketball tucked under his arm.

“He was more determined than all of us,” his friend Billy Jeanfrancois, 14, said. “He was like, ‘I’m going to lose and come back stronger.’”

Aamir was thrilled to make it to his middle school team. He cried when they lost their first game. At a matchup later in the season, the team was again close to defeat. Aamir had earned the nickname “Buddy” due to his friendly demeanor and how he enjoyed teaching others to play the sport.

“He was passionate, he was amazing, he was great — he was everything a mother could ask for in a kid,” Ms. Shanequa Griffin said. “He used to always say, ‘Ma, you’re my best friend,’” she said.