14-year-old Shot and Killed by Friend

Jamauri Mezar, age 14, was shot in the head and killed in his Queens, New York apartment. A group of teens had been passing around a semi-automatic pistol that unintentionally fired. A 15-year-old friend of Jamauri was charged with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. They were friends since third grade. Jamauri’s aunt said, “[y]ou don’t know how to feel. One minute you’re happy that it’s solved, but is it really solved? You know, because they’re both kids.” His family hopes that their tragedy is a wake-up call for others. “We’re losing too many of our young brothers and sons to gun violence,” his aunt added.

Sources:

Brittany Kriegstein, Charles Lane, “14-year-old Boy Fatally Shot in Queens Apartment, Police Say,” gothamist.com (June 26, 2025)

Stacey Sager, “Family Says 14-year-old was Shot by Best Friend Since 3rd Grade While Playing With Gun,” abc7ny.com (June 27, 2025).