Xyere Brooks, 16, was shot and killed on June 6, 2025, in Camden, New Jersey. A sophomore and promising football player at KIPP High School who had drawn interest from programs such as Rutgers and Syracuse, Brooks was at a friend’s apartment on the 1500 block of Thorne Street when he sustained a fatal gunshot wound. He was taken to Cooper University Hospital and died a couple of hours later.

Several juveniles were present in the apartment. Brooks’ brother said the shooting was accidental and that a female friend pointed the gun at Xyere’s head not believing it would fire. Investigators found that a 16-year-old male had brought the firearm into the residence. Two juveniles were charged in connection with the death: a 12-year-old girl from Wilmington, Delaware, was charged with manslaughter and unlawful possession of a weapon for recklessly discharging the firearm, and the 16-year-old boy was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Both surrendered and were released with conditions pending a future court date.

Did anyone in the Camden community know Xyere or have information about the events at the Thorne Street apartment that day?