Cristobal Alfredo Ixquier Mejia, 19, was shot and killed in Queens on the night of Thursday, January 6, 2022. The shooting occurred about 9:57 p.m. at the intersection of 147th Place and Jamaica Avenue. Officers responding to a 911 call found Mejia at the scene with a gunshot wound to his chest; he was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and pronounced dead there.

Early reports and investigation indicated the shooting may have been a case of mistaken identity, with the assailant allegedly believing Mejia was a member of the Bloods street gang. Police took a suspect into custody at the scene, identified as 20-year-old Shareese Smith, and recovered a firearm. Smith was charged with murder, criminal possession of a loaded firearm, criminal possession of a disguised gun, and criminal possession of a firearm. The investigation remains ongoing.

Did anyone in the area see what happened that night or have information about Mejia’s movements before the shooting?