New Yorker Arrested for Fatally Shooting a 10-Year-Old Boy at a Family Barbecue

A young man from New York has been arrested in connection with a shooting of a 10-year-old boy and another man over the weekend. The young boy was at his aunt’s home, attending a family barbecue.

Jovan Young, 29, was apprehended and charged with the second-degree murder of Justin Wallace, 10, and assault for wounding 29-year-old Kyle Forrester, Justin’s cousin. He was also charged with two counts of weapon possession.

The incident occurred in Queens, New York, where the family was enjoying a Saturday night barbecue after spending the day having fun at the beach.

Forrester sustained injuries in his shoulder and was treated while young Wallace sustained serious injuries in the stomach and was deceased upon arrival at the hospital

Wallace's father told CBS2 that the gunman fired more than a dozen rounds at the home, shooting both Forrester and Wallace. He believes that Forrester was the target. Following the incident, District Attorney Katz made a statement saying:

“There isn’t a parent alive who doesn’t mourn this family’s loss, another tragic result from gun violence.”

Speaking on the incident, Wallace’s father said that they had stopped by his sister’s house and were just about to leave for home when he heard a commotion.

He went to see what was happening and saw his nephew on the floor, bleeding. He started asking for his son and that’s when he saw him curled up on the floor groaning in pain. The paramedics arrived soon after.

[H]e faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

The father, who was close to his son and says he never went anywhere without him, is devastated from the loss, wondering how life will go on without his beloved son.

After Young’s arrest, New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio went on Twitter saying that the young boy, Wallace, would have been celebrating his 11th birthday and it should have been a day of celebration, not mourning. He continued to say:

"If you shoot and kill in New York City, you will be caught. You will be arrested. You will be held accountable."

Earlier in the week, the Mayor visited Wallace’s home and assured them that Young would face justice for the heinous act. He said that such acts would never go unpunished.

Young, who turned himself into police custody after initial questioning, faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He was arraigned in a Queen's Criminal Court.

According to reports by Gun Violence Archive, which is a site that tracks shooting, this year alone has recorded a 70% increase in shootings in the USA as compared to the first 5 months of 2020.

Gun violence has become rampant, with families losing their loved ones every single day. 131 young children have lost their lives, while 134 others have been injured in 2021 alone.