December 31, 2025 The holiday peace in Far Rockaway was shattered Tuesday night by a wave of gunfire that left a young man dead and a community on edge. Just as New Yorkers began preparing for year-end celebrations, a 24-year-old was gunned down in cold blood, marking a grim end to 2025.
The Attack on Beach 14th Street
The violence unfolded at approximately 6:40 p.m. on December 30. The victim was standing in front of two storefronts at 289 Beach 14th St.—a busy stretch of the Rockaways—when the shooter opened fire.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as multiple rounds were discharged, striking the victim repeatedly. When officers from the 101st Precinct arrived on the scene following a 911 call, they found the 24-year-old collapsed on the pavement, suffering from devastating gunshot wounds to his torso and arm.
A Desperate Race to the Hospital
In a frantic attempt to save his life, the victim was rushed by "private means"—rather than an official ambulance—to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital. Despite the efforts of emergency room staff, the young man was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police are currently withholding the victim's name as they work to notify his family during what should have been a season of celebration.
No Motive, No Leads, No Arrests
As of Wednesday morning, the shooter remains a ghost. The NYPD has not yet released a suspect description, and detectives admit that the motive for the slaying remains a total mystery. No arrests have been made, and the "Crossroads of the Rockaways" is now the center of an intensive, high-stakes homicide investigation.
The lack of an immediate motive or suspect has left neighbors wondering if this was a targeted execution or a random act of street violence.
