November 11, 2026 QUEENS, NY A midnight trip to the store turned horrific early Wednesday morning when a 13-year-old boy was ambushed and shot in the back in what police believe was a completely unprovoked attack.

Detectives from the NYPD’s 113th Precinct are conducting an intensive investigation to track down the gunman who opened fire on the teenager before fleeing into the night.

Ambushed in the Street: The Shooting Timeline

The shooting occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, near the intersection of Rockaway Boulevard and 145th Street in South Jamaica, Queens.

According to preliminary police reports, the 13-year-old victim had left his nearby home roughly two hours earlier after telling his father he was heading out to a local store.

• The Approach: The youngster was standing near the intersection when an unknown suspect dressed entirely in black clothing walked up to him.

• The Gunfire: Without warning, the suspect drew a firearm and pulled the trigger multiple times, hitting the young boy in the back and his left hand.

• The Escape: The gunman turned and fled on foot, sprinting northbound along 145th Street away from the scene.

Emergency Medical Response & Victim Condition

Patrol officers from the 113th Precinct and EMS paramedics rushed to the scene following emergency 911 calls reporting shots fired.

Paramedics stabilized the injured 13-year-old on-site before rushing him to Long Island Jewish Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Medical personnel confirmed that despite the severe trauma of being shot in the back, the boy is expected to survive.

Surge in Youth Gun Violence Across NYC

The South Jamaica shooting comes just days after another teenager was targeted in Manhattan. On Sunday, November 8, a 14-year-old boy was shot in the leg in Harlem after a gunman shouted to get his attention on East 112th Street and Lexington Avenue. Both teenagers survived their injuries, but no arrests have been made in either case.

Prior to Wednesday’s shooting, the 113th Precinct had reported seven shooting incidents year-to-date through November 8, down from 10 during the same period in 2025.

How to Submit Anonymous Tips to NYPD

Police are urging residents and business owners along Rockaway Boulevard and 145th Street to check their security cameras for any suspicious individuals matching the suspect's description around 12:30 a.m.

Submit Confidential Tips to NYPD Crime Stoppers:

• Hotline: 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)

• Spanish Language Line: 1-888-57-PISTA (74782)

• Online Portal: crimestoppers.nypdonline.org

• Social Media: Direct message @NYPDTips on X (formerly Twitter)

All tips, calls, and digital submissions remain strictly 100% confidential.

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