Police Search For 14-Year-Old Suspect In Fatal Basketball Court Shooting
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Police are searching for a 14-year-old accused of shooting and killing another teen on a basketball court in Brooklyn.
Timothy Oyebola, 16, was shot in the back of the head while playing at the court on Chester Street in Brownsville last month. Investigators said he was not the intended target.
"It's been very, very hard for us," Oyebola's father, David, told CBS2's Reena Roy.
He described his only son as "bright, intelligent."
"Good child that dreamed to become a great engineer in the future. And all of a sudden, somebody just come from nowhere and cut his life short," he said.
Police are searching for 14-year-old Aaron Nathaniel, accused of firing the fatal shot.
"I'm hoping the public will be able to identify him. If anybody sees something, let them say something," said David Oyebola. "Gun violence has to be stopped."
The community gathered for a vigil Monday night, remembering a young life taken too soon.
"These kids should be able to play in the playground without shots going off," community advocate Michael Thomas said. "My heart just goes out to the family. This kid was a baby – 16 years old with a promising future. Nobody should have their life snuffed out like that."
"He was my best friend. Timmy was like really, really, very impactful to everybody's lives here," one person said.
"This is hard. We lost another one. This man was going to be great," another added.
Police said Oyebola was playing basketball with friends near the charter school he attended on September 21 when Nathaniel entered the park with another person. He allegedly pulled the trigger from more than 100 feet away, possibly aiming for others in the area.
Nathaniel is described as being about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 115 pounds, last seen wearing a bandanna and ripped jeans.
