Queens teen shot in head: Sanjay Griffith dies days after shooting outside Dunkin' Donuts in Cambria Heights; no arrests
A 13-year-old boy who was shot in the head at in the parking lot of a Dunkin' Donuts in Queens on Monday has died.
The family of 13-year-old Sanjay Griffith spoke outside Cohen's Children's Hospital on Wednesday, announcing that the teen had passed away.
ABC New York affiliate WABC spoke with the victim's mother, who says her whole world fell apart after realizing her boy, affectionately nicknamed "Peanut," is never coming home.
"Sanjay was the most joyful son I had," said Sanjay's mother Vilene Griffith. "My heart is overwhelmed with grief with my Sanjay."
The tragic update comes just two days after the shooting. Police say Griffith, a high school freshman, was in the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot with his friends on Monday morning, when someone came up on a scooter and shot him.
Surveillance video shows a boy running into a deli, appearing to tell other kids what happened. They come outside, stunned and upset.
Detectives also recovered surveillance video that indicates the shooting was targeted. Surveillance video of the shooting has not been released yet. Police believe the young teen was the intended target.
"That's something that's unbelievable," Vilene Griffith said. "I'm numb and I'm speechless. I'm just numb."
The teen's mother recalls their last conversation.
"He said, 'mom, bye I love you. See you this afternoon.' I said, 'call me when you get there,'" she said.
She never received that call.
The teen had just started high school and was hoping to try out for the basketball team.
"I'm so heartbroken because I would be at his bedside holding his hand talking to him. Daddy loves you. The whole family loves you. We want to see you come back, you know," said Sanjay's father, Theophilus Samuel.
But it wouldn't happen. On Wednesday morning, the 13-year-old's family got an update on his brain activity.
"Unfortunately, when that test was concluded, we were informed that there was none," said the boy's uncle, Eldin Griffith.
Mayor Eric Adams offered Sanjay's family his condolences.
"I hope the mayor could do something for violence and teens in New York," Vilene Griffith said.
"Making new laws better, whether placing more police officers at schools that are at high risk, particularly in the morning and the afternoon," Eldin Griffith said.
The family says the teen is still on life support because they want to donate his organs.
Police are still searching for the suspect. So far, no arrests have been made.
