FAR ROCKAWAY — A 16-year-old boy is in serious condition after being shot on Seagirt Avenue Sunday night, police said.
The victim was shot in the head in front of 25-18 Seagirt Ave. before 9 p.m. on Aug. 30, according to a tweet by Deputy Inspector Justin Lenz from the 101st Precinct.
He was taken to St. John's Hospital and later Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, where he is currently on life support, according to the NYPD.
WE need your help. A 16 y/o boy was shot seriously injured last night at 8:55 PM 25-18 Seagirt Blvd. Any info contact #101Pct #FarRockaway
— NYPD 101st Precinct (@NYPD101Pct) August 31, 2015Police released video Tuesday of two men running from the scene of the shooting. The grainy video doesn't show the suspect's faces as they run past a car in a parking lot.
Councilman Donovan Richards and Rock Safe Streets announced a candlelight vigil for Tuesday, Sept. 1 near the site of the shooting to pray for the victim.
Join Rock Safe Streets tomorrow as we stand against violence in our community. pic.twitter.com/GiwCjGK4M5
— Donovan Richards (@DRichards13) August 31, 2015Richards called the violence "nonsense" in a tweet posted Sunday night.
Earlier this summer, a top NYPD official called the Rockaway peninsula an "area of concern," noting that overall crime in both the 101st and 100th precinct was up, while crime citywide had generally dropped.
A massive bust of reputed gang members in July, who allegedly plotted to purchase guns and kill members of a rival gang, was expected to slow down the rise, Commissioner Bill Bratton said at the time.
Overall shootings from Jan. 1 to Aug. 16 is down by 40 percent, compared to the same period last year — from 20 last year to 12 this year.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident or the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.
