Jaquan Gause was 16 when he was shot during a drive-by in East New York, Brooklyn, on August 16, 2021. He was behind the wheel of his father’s Mercedes-Benz at about 12:30 a.m. at Schenck and Atlantic Avenues when another vehicle pulled alongside and an occupant opened fire. Gause was struck in the head; two passengers, an 18-year-old male and a 19-year-old female, were injured but survived. He was taken to Brookdale University Hospital, remained on life support for nearly a week, and was taken off life support on August 22, 2021. His mother, Kizzy Johnson, said he loved dancing and had just turned 16 a month earlier; he attended Brooklyn Collegiate Preparatory High School.

Investigators later described the shooting as part of a pattern of gang-related violence in Brooklyn. In May 2024 a broad indictment was announced charging alleged members of H-Block/Billy’s and Gates Fam in connection with multiple violent acts, including the murder of Jaquan Gause; the indictment includes murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and weapons counts.

Did anyone in the neighborhood know Jaquan or see activity around Schenck and Atlantic Avenues that night?