July 13, 2026 NEW YORK, NY What was supposed to be a night of community, faith, and elite streetball instantly dissolved into a scene of pure terror on Friday night.

The opening game of the highly anticipated 2026 Kingdom Games season in Harlem took a horrific turn when gunfire shattered the evening, leaving a legendary local hoops star dead and two bystanders wounded.

From Court King to Tragic Casualty

Kinu Rochford, a 35-year-old former basketball phenom from Brooklyn, was identified as the man who lost his life in the devastating July 10 shooting.

Rochford wasn't just any spectator; he was a giant in the local basketball community. A former standout player and leader for Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Rochford later took his talents across the Atlantic, playing professionally throughout Europe. Off the court, he dedicated his life to lifting others up, working as a coordinator for WIN, a New York homeless service provider.

"Those who knew Kinu described him as a fierce competitor with a big heart who made many positive contributions to the FDU community," said Jason Young, Director of Athletics at FDU, in an emotional tribute. "Today is another reminder to value each other and every day that we have."

The Fatal Dispute: What Spurred the Violence?

According to law enforcement sources, the tragedy wasn't a random act of violence. Rochford reportedly got into a heated argument with the shooter during the game. While the exact trigger of the dispute remains unclear, the escalation was immediate and fatal.

At approximately 10:23 p.m., the confrontation ended in gunfire. Rochford was struck in the head and was rushed to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead.

The bullets didn't stop there. The gunman’s reckless fire tore through the crowd, injuring two others:

• A 28-year-old man who was shot in the shin.

• A 22-year-old woman who suffered a bullet wound to her right forearm.

Both surviving victims were rushed to Harlem Hospital for treatment.

A Community in Mourning

The Kingdom Games, an organization founded to unite the community through faith and sportsmanship, expressed profound sorrow over the senseless act that halted their season-opening night.

"Our hearts are with the individual’s family, loved ones, teammates, and everyone affected by this devastating tragedy," the organization shared via Instagram, adding that updates regarding the remainder of the 2026 season are on hold out of respect for the victims.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani also weighed in on the tragedy, stating he was "heartbroken" and promising to deploy immediate support and services to those traumatized by the event.

The Killer is Still at Large: How You Can Help

The gunman fled the scene and remains on the loose. The NYPD is urgently pleading with the public for any information, videos, or eyewitness accounts that could bring Kinu Rochford’s killer to justice.

If you saw anything or know the identity of the shooter, your anonymity is entirely protected.

Who to Contact:

• Crime Stoppers Hotline: 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)

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

• Online Tips: crimestoppers.nypdonline.org

• Social Media: X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips

All calls and messages are strictly confidential.

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