A 17-year-old from New York was shot and killed after a playful water gun fight turned tragically violent at Starlit Park in the Bronx on Tuesday night.
Darrell Harris, who had been enjoying a water gun fight with friends, asked to stop being sprayed by water gun pellets before an altercation broke out, leading to his death from real gunshots.
The Tragic Incident
According to Harris’ mother, Kellie Lewis, Darrell was excited to go out and have fun with his friends, something she noted he didn’t do often. He had gone to the park to enjoy a casual water gun fight, but after asking his friends to stop spraying him with the pellets, a fight broke out.
Police reported that Harris was then shot in the head and arm with real bullets, leading to his death shortly after he was rushed to the hospital.
“This is the most shocking part of it,” said Kellie Lewis, still in disbelief. “He’s not really outside. The one time he does ask to go outside, and this transpires.”
The tragic incident highlights how quickly a situation can escalate, taking the life of a young teen.
The Suspect and Investigation
Police believe that the individual who shot Harris was not involved in the water gun fight itself but was a friend of one of the participants. The suspect was described as wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and a black ski mask. Authorities are currently searching for the suspect, who was last seen running out of the park after the shooting.
The incident remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made yet as of the latest reports.
A Family’s Ongoing Tragedy
This devastating loss is not the first for Kellie Lewis, who revealed that her oldest son, Jamal Hunter, was also killed in the Bronx just a few years earlier.
Jamal Hunter, 27, was shot and killed in January 2021, and his killer was convicted in 2024, currently serving a 17-year sentence. Lewis’ experience with gun violence has made her vocal about its lasting impact.
“That’s what these kids don’t realize when they pick up these weapons,” she said. “You take someone’s life, but the whole family is affected by a decision that you made so quickly. That wasn’t necessary.”
The tragic deaths of both her children serve as a painful reminder of the impact that gun violence has on families and communities.