The 16-year-old gunman who allegedly murdered a 13-year-old boy outside of a Dunkin’ Donuts this week will remain behind bars while facing murder and weapons charges that could keep him locked up for 25 years, a Queens judge decided Saturday.
Jaysohn Sykes was denied bail on second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges for allegedly shooting Sanjay Samuel once in the head outside of the Springfield Gardens shop Monday morning, the Queens District Attorney’s Office announced.
Sykes, who goes by the nickname “Flex,” was arraigned a day after he turned himself into police at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village.
Samuel, a Martin Van Buren High School student, was struck once in the head by the scooter-riding gunman, in what police sources said was a gang related beef. Investigators believe Sykes shot Samuel during a group brawl, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said this week.
Samuel was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he was placed on life support and ultimately succumbed to his injuries Wednesday.
If convicted, Sykes, a student at Campus Magnet High School in Cambria Heights, could face up to 25 years to life in prison, according to the DA’s office. His next court appearance is on Sept. 29.
