Boy, 15, killed in suspected gang-related shooting in NYC park: ‘These badass little kids’

A teen was gunned down in a suspected gang-related shooting Thursday evening at a Queens park he often played basketball in — while the shooter remains on the lam, according to authorities and sources.

Cops discovered Jaden Pierre, 15, lying with a gunshot wound to his torso near Nautilus Playground in Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans just before 6:20 p.m. after responding to a 911 call, according to the NYPD and law enforcement sources.

A sign for Nautilus Playground with yellow caution tape across the entrance to the playground.
A 15-year-old was fatally shot in the torso at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans on Thursday evening. Peter Gerber

Police line "Do Not Cross" tape in the foreground of a park where several police officers are gathered.
The teen was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died. Peter Gerber

Pierre was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died, cops said.

A harrowing video posted to social media captured a skirmish between two youngsters at the park, as a large crew of kids surrounded them and began filming it with their cellphones.

The loud pop of a gunshot could then be heard, causing chaos as the crowd screamed and began running, footage showed.

The 15-year-old boy appeared to be the intended target of the shooting, and police are investigating whether it was gang-related, according to sources.

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Authorities swarmed the park, which was full of youngsters on the unseasonably warm evening — with witnesses describing hearing the popping sound of gunfire and then seeing the victim lying on the ground.

“I was playing basketball in the park, and you know these badass little kids always wanna come here, fight, and do dumb s—t. Came over here, heard a shot go off, and I came running over here to make sure everyone was OK, especially my friends,” AJ, a frequent parkgoer, told The Post.

“And I see a kid lying dead, and I know him from coming over here to play basketball. He’s a good basketball player. Cool kid.”

“Dumb s—t man. Stay off the streets. Just play basketball,” he added, noting that seeing the dead boy was “traumatizing.”

Police officers and detectives investigating a shooting at Nautilus Playground in Queens.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing. Peter Gerber

Tony, who was exiting the park’s recreational center, thought the large police presence was an exercise — before realizing the horror.

“It’s unusual for around here. For this area, it’s unusual. The younger and younger they’re getting guns now,” he said.

“I think it’s crazy, man, these kids can’t come to the playground and play. I think that’s ridiculous. Children should be able to come to the playground and play. There’s nowhere else to play.”

No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing, police said.