Niko Santana was 18 when he died from a gunshot wound at his family home on Shonnard Street in Syracuse, New York. The shooting occurred the evening of February 7, 2018; he was taken to SUNY Upstate University Hospital and died later that night.

Investigators concluded the shooting was accidental. Niko had been in his bedroom with a friend, Dwight Murray, after the two had recently obtained a firearm they said was for protection against gang-related threats. While Murray was handling, modifying, or testing the weapon, it discharged and struck Niko.

In January 2019 Murray was sentenced in connection with the accidental shooting; the sentence could include up to six years’ imprisonment. Does anyone have memories of Niko or details about that night that could add clarity to what happened?